It may sound strange but coastal Andhra leaders of Telugu Desam now want separate Telangana, all thanks to mega star Chiranjeevi. The actor’s plan to enter politics has changed the mindset of Andhra leaders of the TD to an extent. They are now stepping up pressure on the TD chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, to soften the party’s stand over separate statehood in order to forge an electoral understanding with the Telangana Rastra Samiti.

The same leaders had earlier bluntly rejected a truck with the Telangana Rastra Samiti and opposed the idea of a separate state.

However, they now feel that after Chiranjeevi’s political entry, the TD may witness desertions large-scale desertions in coastal Andhra, which may have repercussions in other regions. So, to counter the impact of Chiranjeevi’s proposed party, a tie-up with TRS is necessary. This will instil confidence in the party workers of Andhra region that the TD would win the 2009 polls. Senior leaders from Andhra region including Mr K. Yerrannaidu, Mr Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, and Mr Kodela Shiva Prasada Rao were earlier staunch supporters of united Andhra.

However, they have changed tack after the exit of Mr T. Devender Goud and are now amenable to the Telangana idea. When Mr Goud was in the TD, there had been sharp exchanges between him and Mr Ramakrishnudu over Telangana. In the first meeting of TD five-member committee on Telangana too, Mr Goud was singled out for criticism.

All this has changed now. When asked about the possible tie-up between the TD and the TRS, Mr Yerrannaidu replied, "We will adopt whatever strategy is needed to dislodge this government in next elections." He added that the Congress was the main enemy of the people and the TD would do everything to defeat that party.

Talking to this newspaper, Mr Shiva Prasada Rao also said the TD was not against Telangana. "Some leaders of our party are under the impression that if we take pro-Telangana stance, people of Andhra area may not accept it," he said. "This notion is wrong. One should not forget that Andhra people also agitated for state bifurcation." Another senior leader from Andhra said that there was no point in the TD opposing the idea of Telangana. "It is better to buy time for a few more days," he said. courtesy : DC