Bifurcation of Andhra can still be stopped: Expelled Cong MP

The Congress will be wiped out in the next elections, Rayapati Sambasiva Rao, one of the six MPs who were expelled for opposing the creation of Telangana, tells Rediff.com's Vicky Nanjappa.

What is your immediate reaction to the expulsion?

The expulsion was expected, but all I can say is that it is unfortunate. We were only trying to fight for the cause of the people.

Do you think the Telangana Bill will go through?

We did our best to ensure that the bill does not go through. We had to resort to a lot of shouting in order to get the voices of the people heard.

I will not give up hope until the last day.

You will continue to oppose the formation despite knowing it is almost done...

We cannot say that Telangana has been formed till the last moment.

I have made a promise to the people.

Along with all other Seema-Andhra leaders, I will carry forward the fight against the division of the state.

There is talk that you may join a party that is likely to be floated by Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy.

Let us wait and watch. This is not about our future, but about the people of Seema-Andhra.

We will meet on February 21 and take decision on our future course of action.

Why has Reddy not resigned as yet?

It is a decision that he needs to take. We are still hopeful that the bifurcation can be stopped.

Your prediction on the Congress performance in Andhra Pradesh in the Lok Sabha and state assembly polls...

Mark my words, they will be wiped out in Seema-Andhra.

The bifurcation was unfair and the people will teach them a fitting lesson.

We will take the fight against the Congress now to the people.

Had the Congress warned you about the expulsion?

When we decide to take the fight to Parliament we expected the party to expel us.

This, however, is hardly a price to pay compared to what our people are facing.

The government has not taken into consideration the pain and opinion of the people. They have taken this decision (bifurcation of AP) without looking at the pros and cons.

How can you move a no-confidence vote against your own party?

There is a difference. The no-confidence vote was not against the Congress, but against the division of the state.

We are elected by the people and we have to protect their interests.

This is a blunder that the party has committed. All through we were aware about the consequences of our actions.

You had said in August that you would quit. Why the delay?

If we had quit we could not have been heard.

It was necessary to make a noise in Parliament so that our voices were heard.

Despite such opposition, why has the Congress listened to the people of Telangana and not Seema-Andhra?

Telangana leaders have misled the party. The party should have considered the sentiments of the people of Seema-Andhra before making such a decision.

The government has done a lot for Telangana. In fact, what the people of Telangana should know is that the region began to develop only after the people of Seema-Andhra began migrating to it.

Image: Top: Congress MPs protest against the division of Andhra Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, Bottom: Rayapati Sambasiva Rao.