Pro-Maoist leader Gaddar launches Front to fight for Telangana

Pro-Maoist revolutionary balladeer and folk artist Gaddar today said his 'Telangana Praja Front' is not a party but a political front launched to fight for statehood to the region in Andhra Pradesh.

"We will grow politically and fight for separate Telangana statehood. Telangana can be achieved through people's movements and agitations only," Gaddar said in his speech during the formal launch of the front here.

"Telangana movement cannot be taken forward with elections. Leaders in Delhi realised about the issue only after people came out and protested," he said and pointed to home minister P Chidambaram's December 9 statement that the process of formation of Telangana would be initiated.

"All these political parties, right from Congress to TRS, could not bring any result to the people of Telangana. We will fight till a Bill for Telangana is introduced in Parliament," Gaddar told the gathering.

He had earlier said they do not want to wait for the Centre-appointed Srikrishna Committee to submit its report, likely by December 31, on the statehood issue. Gaddar, whose real name is Vithal Rao, is known for his pro-Maoist leanings. 

The Front comprises 56 Joint Action Committees (JACs) of various sections of Telangana society like employees, lecturers and intellectuals. The outfit is likely to change the political landscape of Telangana currently dominated by TRS.