Hyderabad, May 27: After two weeks of intense lobbying in New Delhi for realising his goal of separate Telangana State, Telangana Rashtra Samiti president K Chandrasekhar Rao made a triumphant return to the city — not just with Union Cabinet Minister’s post, but with a firm commitment from the Congress and its allies on formation of separate Telangana State.
Undeterred by the criticism from his detractors that he had mortgaged Telangana’s cause for a ministerial berth in the Congress Cabinet and intense opposition from the Communist parties, KCR adopted a mission-like approach and managed to convince his alliance partners on Telangana. “Now, Telangana State is not a distant dream,” says KCR,

How soon do you think Telangana will become a reality?
Telangana has crossed the stage of a movement and entered the realm of reality. It is now just a matter of three or four months. The draft Bill has to be prepared by the Union Home Ministry; then it has be scrutinised and then sent to Union Law Ministry. From there, it will be put before the Union Cabinet for approval.

When is draft Bill likely be ready?
Most probably after the Maharashtra elections, so that it would not rake up Vidarbha issue.

But is Telangana a priority issue for the Union government?
If not, how can it be introduced in the CMP at all? As far as we are concerned, our only priority is Telangana.

You have gained the image of “karmyogi” in New Delhi by sacrificing your portfolio. Is it a strategic move to gain advantage for Telangana’s cause?
I sacrificed the portfolio only for Telangana. I told Sonia that our Tamil Nadu brothers are creating problems and therefore, I would be pleased to give up my portfolio. I made it clear that I did not come to Delhi for posts or positions and that I was prepared to work even as a peon or sweeper. Our whole aim and objective is to achieve Telangana State. Yes, it also helped me and paved the way for Telangana.

What about the Communist parties? Do you foresee any problem from them in realising the goal of Telangana?
Telangana is already achieved, bhai saab. There is no problem with the Communists. I will tell you what exactly happened in the meeting of UPA this evening. When we were discussing the contentious issues of CMP, Railway Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav objected to the implementation of Women’s Reservation Bill, without referring to the quota for Backward Classes. Left parties opposed incorporation of Telangana issue in the CMP.
Intervening, Sonia Gandhi said if that was the case, every political party will have reservations about other party’s agenda. Then, several leaders Sharad Pawar, Laloo Prasad Yadav, Ram Vilas Paswan and Ramaswamy came out strongly in support of Telangana State. Sonia told the Left parties that they could oppose Telangana, if they wished to do so, in Parliament, but not at the UPA meeting. But the Congress would fully support the Telangana State, she said.

Do you mean to say Sonia Gandhi proposed the Telangana issue?
Yeah. Exactly. I told her that there is no need for Second States Reorganisation Commission or any such thing and if anyone talks about SRC, he must be a mad fellow. It will be foolish to appoint SRC because it will only open the Pandora’s Box (triggering demands from other regions). If Telangana is given, it should be done straightaway and there should be no hanky panky business. She appreciated my viewpoint. She told the Congress leaders that KCR has total clarity on the issue and he even sacrificed his portfolio. Whereas, the other Congress leaders were misguiding her.

Does it go well with State leaders like Y S Rajasekhar Reddy?
That is their look out. And YSR has no choice but to accept by the decision of the Congress high command.

Are you going to join the YSR government?
We have not yet decided on it. It will take some more time.

What is your next step?
We are immediately going back to Delhi to pursue with the Home Ministry about the Bill. I don’t have any work here. My mission here is up. Today, we are achieving Telangana State.

.........DC