TRS leader continues his indefinite fast

NEW DELHI: Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) leader K Chandrasekhara Rao on Thursday remained firm on his demand for formation of a separate Telangana state and continued his hunger strike here for the second day.

Rao, who quit as Union Labour Minister on Tuesday, said he wanted a commitment from the Congress-led government on carving out Telangana state from Andhra Pradesh but appeared flexible on the timeframe.

"I want a commitment from the government that they will support formation of separate Telangana state. I am not bothered whether it will happen in six months, eight months or one year," he said.

The veteran leader, who began the indefinite fast here on Wednesday, appeared cheerful and defiant though his former UPA allies cold-shouldered him and opposed the demand for dividing Andhra Pradesh.

"My strike will continue till the government accepts my party's demand," he said sitting amidst a handful of his supporters in a specially-constructed pandal when asked about the stance of his former colleagues.

Expelled BJP leader Madan Lal Khuarana and Uttaranchal Minister Diren Pratap visited Rao to express solidarity with his cause.  A team of doctors from Ram Manohar Lohia hospital checked his health condition which is stable at the moment.