(Pics) Bill passed in Parliament, Telangana leaders thank Sonia Gandhi

New Delhi, Feb 21: It was not a great news for all, not at all for Seemandhra, but for the political leadership of Telangana it was new life. In fact, a tense Seemandhra was gearing up for an independent PIL by lawyers revoking the decision. But, let's not spoil Telangana's mood here.

As the city of Hyderabad saw crackers bursting and people meeting, the ministers did not forget to thank Sonia Gandhi and her government for making their dream a reality. Let's see who said what:

Prof Kodandaram ,TJAC Chairman: Though Telugu people are divided now by borders, we want them to live as our brothers. The fight was against political leaders of Seemandhra but not against the people of Seemandhra. I thank Mayawati, Ajit Singh, Ram Vilas Paswan and all the others for supporting the bill.

Harish Rao, TRS leader: This is the happiest moment of my life. Thanks to KCR and the martyrs of Telangana who fought for Telangana.

D Sridhar Babu, Minister Congress Party: I am very happy to see the approval of Telangana bill in Rajya Sabha. I want to thank our party president Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi for striving for the creation of Telangana State. The 60-year-long aspiration and dream of Telangana people was fulfilled with the approval of the bill.

D K Aruna, Minister Congress Party: I thank our party president Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for fulfilling the sixty year dream of Telangana people. The Telangana State has become a reality only because of the firm commitment of Congress party and its president. The sacrifices of over thousand martyrs of Telangana did not go waste.

T Devender Goud, TDP Rajya Sabha member: It's a joyous and historic day for all Telangana people. The entire credit for achieving the state goes to the martyrs of Telangana especially those who sacrificed their lives in 1969 separate state struggle. Our party TDP support played a crucial role in the approval of AP State reorganisation bill. It would not have approved without our support.

K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR), however had a roller-coaster birthday this week with the best gift he may have wished for-a separate state. In a press conference, an elated TRS said "No state is the winner here, no one is the loser. This is what peopel wanted. We are happy for the separate State. Let us get separated happily and develop equally. It is the result of sacrifice of the Telangana martyrs."

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In New Delhi

Congress workers celebrate after the passage of Telangana Bill in the Rajya Sabha, at Andhra Bhavan in New Delhi on Thursday.

In New Delhi

BJP workers celebrate with crackers after the passage of Telangana Bill in the Rajya Sabha, at Andhra Bhavan in New Delhi on Thursday.

In Hyderabad

TRS activists celebrate after the passage of Telangana Bill in the Rajya Sabha, in Hyderabad on Thursday.

In Hyderabad

TRS activists celebrate after the passage of Telangana Bill in the Rajya Sabha, in Hyderabad on Thursday.

In Hyderabad

TRS activists celebrate after the passage of Telangana Bill in the Rajya Sabha, in Hyderabad on Thursday.

In Hyderabad

BJP workers celebrate with crackers after the passage of Telangana Bill in the Rajya Sabha.

In Hyderabad

BJP celebrate with crackers after the passage of Telangana Bill in the Rajya Sabha.

In Hyderabad

BJP celebrate with crackers after the passage of Telangana Bill in the Rajya Sabha.

In New Delhi

Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh is lifted by pro-Telangana leaders after the passage of Telangana Bill in the Rajya Sabha in New Delhi on Thursday.

In New Delhi

Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh is greeted by Hanumantharao after the passage of Telangana Bill in the Rajya Sabha in New Delhi on Thursday.