TRS deadline is KCR lifeline

The yet another deadline fixed by Telangana Rashtra Samithi for the UPA government announcing the formation of separate Telangana is considered to be nothing but a lifeline for its president K Chandrasekhar Rao.

It was only the previous day that KCR had announced cancellation of his proposed public meetings at Karimnagar and Warangal stating that he was happy with the statement of AICC incharge of AP affairs Veerappa Moily that there was no connection between Telangana and the second SRC proposal. Within 24 hours, KCR came out with an aggressive statement threatening that all his MP, MLAs and MLCs would resign from their posts, if the UPA does not announce separate Telangana.

So, what happened in those 24 hours? Sources in the TRS say KCR has got the inside information from New Delhi that Sonia Gandhi was convinced by Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy's argument that there was no need for granting separate Telangana and that he would handle the political situation till the next elections. The Chief Minister also told Sonia that there was no immediate threat even from Chiranjeevi and that the atmosphere is very positive for the Congress right now.

This has promoted KCR to take the drastic decision, since it is inevitable to breathe in new life into the party, which is in a state of confusion. The resignation is the best way to bring pressure on the Congress leaders from the region, who in turn would step up pressure on the high command. KCR's move has definitely caught YSR in surprise, but as usual, he maintained cool and put up a brave fron