TDP leader Goud resigns over Telangana

HYDERABAD: Telugu Desam Party on Monday suffered a jolt when its senior leader T Devender Goud resigned from the party and assembly due to differences with the leadership over the Telangana statehood issue.
    
Goud, widely seen as number two in the party hierarchy and a strong votary of Telangana statehood cause, sent his resignation letter to party president N Chandrababu Naidu.
    
A backward class leader from neighbouring Ranga Reddy district, Goud, who is also a member of the party's politburo, has been mounting pressure on the leadership for an early decision on the demand for a separate Telangana state.
    
The former minister had, off late, emerged a rallying point for protagonists of separate Telangana state within the TDP.
    
"As a son of Telangana, I will strive for achieving the statehood goal. I will dedicate my life for the cause of Telangana people", Goud said in his resignation letter to Naidu.
    
He sent a separate letter to Assemby Speaker K R Suresh Reddy resigning from the assembly membership.
    
Goud's resignation came as a jolt to TDP which has traditionally opposed division of the state.
    
Bowing to pressure from a section of pro-Telangana leaders, the TDP had recently constituted a five-member committee to go into the issue and take feedback from the cadre.
     
Goud is also a member of the committee.

A stunned TDP leadership dismissed Goud's resignation as an "act of deceit" and put up a brave front, saying his decision would not have any impact on the party.
 
"He owes an explanation to the people as to what prompted him to take this decision. He has enjoyed full respect in the party. There is no valid reason for his resignation", TDP's Parliamentary party leader Yerran Naidu said.
 
Another senior party leader and former minister N Janardhan Reddy described Goud's resingation as unfortunate.
 
Goud's move came against the backdrop of Chandrababu Naidu's warning to party leaders not to air their differences over the Telangana issue in public.
 
Naidu is currently in the coastal district of Srikakulam as part of his 150-day mass contact programme "Mee Kosam" (for you).
 
According to party sources, Naidu is reviewing the political situtation in the wake of his senior colleague's resignation and is holding talks with his close confidants.
    
Meanwhile, a large number of supporters of Goud gathered outside his residence and raised slogans in favour of a separate state of Telangana.
    
Goud is likely to speak to the media later in the day, his supporters said.
    
The resignation evoked a mixed response from leaders of various parties with votaries of Telangana welcoming the decision.
    
TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao telephoned Goud and congratulated him for resigning from the party.
    
Congress Working Committee member G Venkatswamy said Goud's resignation would satisfy those demanding Telangana.
    
Asked if Telangana leaders in Congress would also take a similar decision, he said an appropriate decision will be taken at an appropriate time.
    
However, several TDP leaders condemned Goud's decision as an act of betrayal.
    
T Srinivas Yadav, MLA from Secunderabad who recently criticised Goud for raising Telangana issue against party's directive, said Goud's resignation would not cause any loss to the party.
    
K Harishwar Reddy, another senior TDP leader, said Goud occupied number two position in the party and his resignation was an "act of betrayal".
    
"The party has appointed a five-member committee to look into Telangana issue. Goud is a member of the committee. He could have waited for its decision. This is like betrayal towards mother," he said.
    
K Srihari, another strong votary of Telangana in TDP, said he would try to convince the party leadership on the need to take a positive decision on the issue of separate statehood.