CM ''stumbling block'' for statehood for Telangana:CPI leader

Hyderabad, Oct 31 (UNI) Alleging that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy was acting as a ''stumbling block'' for creation of separate Telangana state, Communist Party of India State Secretary K Narayana today opined that the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre had no option but to concede Telangana now.

He told reporters here that major parties had come out openly in support of statehood for Telangana. ''Let UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi break her silence and come out openly in support of statehood for Telangana.'' Even within the Congress, a majority of leaders from the Telangana region were for the creation of Telangana state, he claimed, alleging that the Chief Minister was putting hurdles in creation of Telangana state.

The time had come for the ruling Congress at the Centre to shed its ''indecisiveness and take positive steps for formation of new Telangana state,'' he said.

Charging the Congress party with ''insincere'' on the issue, the CPI leader said first the Congress leaders blamed the Left parties and then the main opposition TDP for the UPA Government's inability to bring in a bill in Parliament for the purpose.

He said the CPI as well as TDP were now in support for creation of Telangana state.

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