At a time when the air is thick with rumours on the possibility of a new regional party emerging in Seemandhra, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Thursday almost once again defied party line on Telangana. In what could be seen as a bid to placate Seemandhra, he warned, “In the past too, parties were thrown out of power when they had worked against the will of the people and it will happen again if the government does not honour popular sentiments.”
Interestingly, exactly a day after AICC State affairs incharge Digvijaya Singh told T-Congress leaders that the party leadership was confident the Chief Minister would fall in line and preside over the process of bifurcation, Kiran gave a clear indication that he was in no mood to do so.
The Chief Minister, who had been silent ever since he returned from Delhi a fortnight ago, chose the ‘Telugu Language Day’ celebrations held at the Ravindra Bharati to warn the Congress high command. More or less revolting against the party leadership’s T-decision, Kiran said, “Decisions taken by any government, Central or state should reflect people’s aspirations. If any government goes against the wishes of the people, that government will be dumped in the elections. That is the greatness of Indian democracy.” He said various political parties had lost power several times for taking decisions against the wishes of the people.
“In a democracy, people are important, not a political party. If anyone feels it is the party that takes a decision, they are mistaken. Decisions are taken by the people, not by the government or political parties. The party which gets a majority comes to power. It is the party’s responsibility to do what is good for the people,” he added. Indirectly, warning the party high command, he said the government should always keep this in mind and act accordingly whenever it has to take crucial decisions.
“We know what Telugu people want and we will take a decision according to the wishes of the people. The State is passing through a difficult phase and we should maintain utmost restraint and act in a responsible way. Let Telugu Talli give us courage to face this difficult situation,” he said.
Referring to the ongoing agitation in Seemandhra, Kiran said the State had been pushed into a very delicate situation during the last 10 years. Almost endorsing the protests undertaken by government employees of Seemandhra, he said, “The employees should carry on their protest in a peaceful manner and within the frame work of the law.”
Source: INDIAN EXPRESS
