I thank God and Sonia Gandhi, says TRS chief

The man who made the 50-year-old dream of Telangana come true was in tears when the good news broke. K Chandrasekhara Rao broke down remembering all those who had laid down their lives for the statehood during the long struggle.  

 "The victory is the result of five-and-a-half-decade-long struggle of the poor people of Telangana," he said in his first reaction after breaking the fast with a glass of lemon juice offered by Prof Jaishankar, the ideologue of Telangana movement. 

 "Now Telangana people will be able to live with self respect and under self rule", he said.

"I am thankful to God and Sonia Gandhi for making it possible," he said.

KCR told this correspondent at NIMS Intensive Care Unit that he will be able to come out of the hospital only after five to seven days.

"My first priority would be to go to Delhi and thank UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Leader of Opposition L K Advani and all others who supported the cause of Telangana." 

 "The message is clear that voice of the people has a respect in Indian democracy," he said. "I am happy and all the people of Telangana are happy", said Rao, completely overwhelmed with emotions, tears rolling down his cheeks.

His voice choked and he broke down as he remembered more than 26 students and youth and party workers who committed suicide and laid down their lives during the struggle for Telangana during last 11 days. 

 "It was an unbearable loss for me. They are like my family members to me and I tender an apology to their families on this loss. We will definitely stand by these families for ever." 

KCR said, "I also promise to the employees of Telangana and students that they will be taken care of for all the sacrifices their made in this struggle.  I am grateful to all the intellectuals and other people form different sections of society who supported this cause".