Thaindian News

Hyderabad, Aug 29 (IANS) The Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) Monday ruled out postponing the proposed indefinite mass strike from Sep 6 to press the demand for a separate Telangana state.

JAC convenor M. Kodandaram rejected the suggestion of some Congress leaders that the indefinite strike by government employees and teachers be postponed in view of the ill-health of party chief Sonia Gandhi.

The group, which is spearheading the movement for a separate state, said government employees, teachers and the workers of public sector undertakings would go on strike from Sep 6.

“There is no question of deferring the strike,” Kodandaram told reporters. He said the JAC would chalk out a plan of action to achieve a separate Telangana state during 2011.

Earlier, Civil Supplies Minister D. Sridhar Babu had appealed to the JAC to reconsider their decision on strike in view of Sonia Gandhi’s health.

The minister’s appeal came close on the heels of the ministers from Telangana resuming their duties. The ministers had been staying away from work ever since they submitted their resignations along with the legislators on July 4-5.

Assembly speaker D. Manohar late last month rejected the resignations of 101 legislators from Telangana saying they were submitted in an emotionally surcharged atmosphere.

JAC has already asked all legislators from the region to submit their resignations again. But, barring four rebel legislators of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and all 11 of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), no other has obliged.

JAC has also called upon people not to allow legislators of the Congress and the TDP into the villages till they submit their resignations again.

The ministers’ recent move to resume duties has come under flak from the JAC and other groups fighting for a separate state.

Sridhar Babu, however, defended their action saying both Telangana and people’s welfare were important for them.