Telangana:
All colleges in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh have been closedfor two weeks. Critics of the Congress government say that's the onlyaction that has been taken in response to a movement that's gainingmomentum - one that asks for a separate state of Telangana.
The face of that campaign, K Chandrashekhar Rao or KCR, as he's known,is still on a hunger strike. KCR, who is the chief of the TelanganaRashtra Samiti (TRS) is being monitored closely at a Hyderabadhospital. His party says it's running out of patience while thegovernment ponders its stand on the Telangana issue.
"Nothing short of saying yes to Telangana state. Nothing more thanthat, nothing short of it," states Prof Jayashankar, Telanganaideologue.
That warning has Andhra worried. Officials also fear that anydeterioration in KCR's health will lead to violence on the streets. OnMonday, student groups that support KCR joined TRS workers in settingvehicles on fire. That led to Thursday's decision to close colleges fora few days.
"What all has to be done, the state government will look into it,depending on the situation. If necessary, the Congress party willintervene depending on the situation," says D Srinivas, President ofthe Andhra Congress Party.
So what happens next? "KCR is in a catch-22 situation because if hewithdraws his hunger strike, he will invite severe criticism fromnon-TRS sections within the Telangana movement and he cannot move outpolitically. If he continues with his fast, his health does notpermit," offers K Nageshwar, a political analyst.
KCR and the TRS didn't deliver huge results in the recent Lok Sabhaelections; but Rao is being offered support by non-TRS groups in hiscampaign. Proof that the sentiment for a separate Telangana is strong,and the government will need to take a stand soon, something it hasavoided steadfastly so far.
The face of that campaign, K Chandrashekhar Rao or KCR, as he's known,is still on a hunger strike. KCR, who is the chief of the TelanganaRashtra Samiti (TRS) is being monitored closely at a Hyderabadhospital. His party says it's running out of patience while thegovernment ponders its stand on the Telangana issue.
"Nothing short of saying yes to Telangana state. Nothing more thanthat, nothing short of it," states Prof Jayashankar, Telanganaideologue.
That warning has Andhra worried. Officials also fear that anydeterioration in KCR's health will lead to violence on the streets. OnMonday, student groups that support KCR joined TRS workers in settingvehicles on fire. That led to Thursday's decision to close colleges fora few days.
"What all has to be done, the state government will look into it,depending on the situation. If necessary, the Congress party willintervene depending on the situation," says D Srinivas, President ofthe Andhra Congress Party.
So what happens next? "KCR is in a catch-22 situation because if hewithdraws his hunger strike, he will invite severe criticism fromnon-TRS sections within the Telangana movement and he cannot move outpolitically. If he continues with his fast, his health does notpermit," offers K Nageshwar, a political analyst.
KCR and the TRS didn't deliver huge results in the recent Lok Sabhaelections; but Rao is being offered support by non-TRS groups in hiscampaign. Proof that the sentiment for a separate Telangana is strong,and the government will need to take a stand soon, something it hasavoided steadfastly so far.
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