CPI supports demand for Telangana, says time ripe for creation

New Delhi, Mar 10 (UNI) Throwing its weight behind the Telangana Rastriya Samiti's demand for a separate state, the CPI today said that the time had come for the implementation of the demand as promised in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP).

''The CMP of the UPA government has clearly mentioned that the demand would be considered at an appropriate time, and that time has come,'' CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan told mediapersons at a press conference on the conclusion of the party two-day National Executive meet.

''It is the moral duty of the Manmohan Singh government to consider the demand now,'' the veteran leader said, adding that the party's position was based on feedback from its Andhra Pradesh unit.

TRS chief K Chandrasehkhar Rao, who was holding the Labour portfolio the Mannmohan Singh government, quit the office and his Lok Sabha seat in protst against the government's inaction on the issue.

His five party MPs also withdrew their support to the UPA government. In Andhra Pradesh assembly, 26 TRS MLAs, who were part of the Congress-led coalition are now sitting on the Opposition benches.

UNI