Sorry about loss of lives in Telangana agitation: P Chidambaram apologises on behalf of Congress

HYDERABAD: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram has apologised for the loss of lives during the Telangana statehood movement.

Speaking to media persons here on Thursday, the former Union Minister said that creating a State or dividing a State was not child's play. He said that Telangana was created in response to people's movement.

Responding to accusations of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) that the previous UPA Government had delayed the formation of Telangana resulting in loss of lives, Chidambaram said, "A suicide is an unfortunate incident. If in the people's movement some people lost their lives in the agitation, we are sorry for that. But you can't hold the (then) Central Government responsible for that."

He further said that Telangana was formed in response to people's movement. Chidambaram, however, alleged that over 4,000 suicides were reported in Telangana under KCR-led BRS Government and sought to know who was responsible for those suicides.

“A State is created after a movement like original Andhra Pradesh was created. A State is divided in response to people's movement. If some lives have been lost we are sorry for that. But what about the 4,000 odd suicides in Telangana under the KCR's Government. Who is responsible for those suicides?" he asked.

Chidambaram added that KCR emerged as a prominent leader of that movement and that was why he became the Chief Minister.

"I hope KCR is not saying that the people have nothing to do with that and I got Telangana. I hope he is not saying that and if he is saying that then people will answer him in the elections," Chidambaram said.

The former Union Minister recalled that it was after great amount of work and persuasion that the Congress agreed to carve out Telangana and that he had announced it on December 9, 2009 following which KCR called off his fast.

"He (KCR) profusely thanked us. But, another agitation broke out. And Justice Srikrishna Commission was appointed, which gave six recommendations. Ultimately, the Congress party and the government in the Centre agreed to divide united Andhra Pradesh into Telangana and Andhra Pradesh," Chidambaram added.