TRS President Kavitha Threatens Action Against Andhra Leaders' Statues in Telangana

Hyderabad: A fresh political row erupted on Monday as TRS president K. Kavitha levelled sharp accusations against the placement of statues honouring Andhra Pradesh leaders within Telangana's borders.

Speaking at a round-table gathering focused on the legacy and accomplishments of Telangana's independence movement activists, held at the party headquarters in Banjara Hills, Kavitha contended that adversaries were deliberately seeking to erode Telangana's unique cultural and political identity.

The TRS leader declared her party would mount strong resistance against any efforts to transplant another region's cultural symbols into Telangana. She further cautioned that should her party gain electoral victory, it would take decisive steps regarding the statues of Andhra leaders currently standing in the state.

Characterising the TRS as entering a new phase dubbed "TRS 2.0," Kavitha underscored that safeguarding Telangana's distinctive identity remained central to her party's mission.

Kavitha asserted that a coordinated political scheme was at work to dilute Telangana's sense of self and heritage. She alleged that certain political figures were actively facilitating this agenda through their administrative choices and public pronouncements.

The TRS chief also trained her criticism on the Congress-led state administration, claiming it had neglected the promises made to Telangana movement veterans despite being in office for over two years. She contended that instead of acting on commitments, the government was creating committees and delaying implementation.

Extending her remarks to Andhra Pradesh's political landscape, Kavitha singled out Jana Sena leader Pawan Kalyan, reiterating calls for him to seek forgiveness from Telangana's people before holding public events in the state. She additionally voiced concerns regarding statements made by Andhra Pradesh's ruling coalition regarding the state's capital city.

Kavitha called upon the Chief Minister to make unambiguous declarations regarding pledges given to Telangana movement activists during the recent Telangana Formation Day observances. She emphasised that extending selective benefits to a limited group of activists would fall short of addressing the comprehensive aspirations of the broader movement's participants.