HYDERABAD: Asserting that there would be no compromise on the demand for separate Telangana, Congress leaders from the region today demanded that the Centre take a quick decision on the issue."The separate Telangana demand is justified democratically, constitutionally and politically. The Centre should take a decision on the issue quickly by respecting democracy," Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj Minister K Jana Reddy said tonight, speaking at the end of the 48-hour fast held by the Telangana Congress leaders here.Formation of separate Telangana would benefit Congress politically and enhance its credibility, he said.Affirming that there cannot be a compromise on the Telangana demand, Congress Rajya Sabha member K Keshav Rao reiterated his comments that they would again take to agitations if no decision came without delay.The Telangana Congress leaders got a shot in the arm in their campaign for separate state with TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao, suspended TDP leader Nagam Janardhan Reddy, Telangana political Joint Action Committee (JAC) convener M Kodandaram and others expressing solidarity with them.Chandrasekhar Rao, who wore a Congress 'khanduva' (cloth worn on the shoulders or around the neck), hailed the en masse resignations of the Telangana Congress leaders and said the people would never forget their 'unprecedented sacrifices'. .The TRS chief also hailed the campaign conducted by the Telangana Congress MPs in support of a separate Telangana in Delhi, stating they had fought with senior Congress leaders including Pranab Mukherjee.The Centre should accede to the separate statehood demand in view of the broad-based unity of various forces and leaders in Telangana, Rao said adding he has information the Centre is going to take steps towards formation of a separate state in two weeks.Alleging that injustice had been done to Telangana in all spheres by not implementing the Government Orders and safeguards given to the region, he wondered why the region should remain united with other parts of Andhra Pradesh."More than anything else, Telangana today wants self-respect and self-rule. Ghulam Nabi Azad (AICC in charge of party affairs in AP) or someone else will not be able to do anything. No 'jadoo' (magic) is going to work here," he said.Taking strong exception to Azad's comments that a consensus is required for the formation of separate state, some Telangana Congress leaders demanded that he step down as incharge."Does he know Constitution? How can he say that consensus and assembly resolution are necessary for formation of separate state?," Congress MP Manda Jagannath asked.Keshav Rao alleged that Azad's comments does not make any sense.Congress leaders from non-Telangana regions came under fire from their Telangana counterparts for demanding that AP be kept united and also for orchestrating an agitation for the purpose.The Telangana Congress MPs, MLAs and MLCs had quit en masse earlier this month in support of separate Telangana demand. Expressing disappointment over lack of response from the Centre on their demand, they had undertaken the two-day fast.
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