Telangana Vimochana Samithi (TVS)

A group of leaders of Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) led by MLC K. Dilip Kumar are geared to launch a parallel separate Telangana movement in the wake of the drubbing that the party received in elections.

Mr. Dilip Kumar convened a meeting of Telangana supporters at his quarter in the New MLA Quarters and later the participants shifted to an undisclosed destination to avoid the media on Friday.

The meeting straightaway got down to the business of launching a separate Telangana movement in the name of ‘Telangana Vimochana Samithi’. The outfit may take two weeks to assume a shape, according to former TRS leader V. Prakash who also attended the meeting.

He said, the occasion marked commencement of ground work for the new outfit as the participants began consultations with leaders across parties who supported the cause of Telangana. They would be invited to join the movement. The meeting was also focussed on building up of an organisational network and future programmes.

Those present included Rasamai Balkishan who led the cultural troupe of TRS earlier. He quit the party after he was denied ticket to contest the Assembly polls from Manakondur constituency in Karimnagar district. Another ex-chairman of cultural cell of TRS, Nagaraju was also present. Former Minister A. Chandrasekhar and former Warangal MP D. Ravindra Naik have already extended support to Mr. Dilip Kumar.

Mr. Naik on Friday shot off a letter to TRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao to consider his resignation from party, if Mr. Rao failed to convene a meeting of the executive committee to discuss the poll debacle. He should also apologise to women and tribals who got a raw deal in ticket distribution. The candidates were selected without taking the grassroots cadre into confidence. Meanwhile, Mr. Rao met senior leaders of the TRS at his house to take stock of the situation before leaving for Cherial in Warangal district. Talking to reporters later, TRS legislature party leader Eatala Rajender denied rumours of members quitting the party. He said such rumours were a disinformation campaign.