Telangana Praja Samithi

The formation of the Telangana Praja Samithi (TPS) and the subsequent movement it led were pivotal in the history of the Telangana region’s struggle for statehood. Here is a detailed account of the formation, key figures, strategies, and outcomes of the TPS and the movement it spearheaded:

Background

1. Historical Context

• The state of Andhra Pradesh was formed in 1956 by merging the Telugu-speaking regions of Andhra State with the Telangana region of the erstwhile Hyderabad State.
• The Gentlemen’s Agreement was established to protect the interests of the Telangana region, promising equitable distribution of resources, employment opportunities, and political representation.

2. Growing Discontent

• Over the years, the people of Telangana felt that the terms of the Gentlemen’s Agreement were not being honored.
• There was widespread dissatisfaction over issues such as the allocation of jobs, educational opportunities, and developmental funds, which were perceived to be skewed in favor of the Andhra region.

Formation of TPS

1. Inception

• The Telangana Praja Samithi (TPS) was formed in 1969, at the height of the Telangana agitation, to represent the aspirations and demands of the Telangana people.
• The party was founded by notable leaders, including Marri Chenna Reddy, who became the central figure in the movement.

2. Objectives

• The primary objective of TPS was to achieve the creation of a separate Telangana state.
• The party aimed to address the grievances of the Telangana people regarding employment, education, and regional development.

Leadership and Key Figures

1. Marri Chenna Reddy

• Marri Chenna Reddy was a prominent politician and the key leader of TPS.
• He played a crucial role in mobilizing support for the Telangana cause and articulating the demands of the movement.

2. Other Prominent Leaders

• V. Narsing Rao, A. Madhava Reddy, and Konda Lakshman Bapuji were among the other significant leaders who supported and led the movement alongside Chenna Reddy.

Strategies and Activities

Mobilization and Protests

1. Public Meetings and Rallies

• TPS organized numerous public meetings, rallies, and demonstrations to garner support and raise awareness about the Telangana cause.
• These events were aimed at mobilizing the masses and drawing attention to the neglect and discrimination faced by the Telangana region.

2. Student Involvement

• The movement saw significant participation from students, who organized strikes, protests, and rallies.
• Educational institutions became centers of activism, with students playing a vital role in sustaining the agitation.

3. Civil Disobedience

• TPS also resorted to civil disobedience and non-cooperation with the state government.
• These actions included boycotts of government programs and refusal to pay taxes.

Political Maneuvering

1. Lobbying and Negotiations

• TPS leaders engaged in lobbying and negotiations with the central government to press for the creation of a separate Telangana state.
• Delegations were sent to Delhi to present their case to the Prime Minister and other central leaders.

2. Elections and Political Pressure

• TPS contested elections to demonstrate the widespread support for the Telangana cause.
• The party aimed to leverage its electoral success to pressure the government into conceding to their demands.

Major events after 1970

First State level meetings of Telangana Praja Samithi:

• On 10th January, 1970, T.P.S State level meeting was inaugurated by Marri Chenna Reddy at the Boys Scott Headquarters in Secunderabad.
• The President of the invitation committee of this meeting – Nagari Krishna.
• P. “Gray” of the British Labour Party was a special guest to this meeting.
• In this meeting only, Marri Chenna Reddy requested the center to have a referendum on Separate Telangana Statehood.
• 15th January, 1970:
• 15th January, 1970 was held as a “Day of Protest” to mark the completion of one year of launching of a Separate Telangana Movement.
• On this occasion, a big open meeting was organized in the ground of Keshav memorial. This meeting was chaired by M. Sridhar Reddy.
• 21st January:
• On 21st January, 1970, the two Telangana Praja Samithi’s headed by Mrs. Sadalakshmi and M. Sridhar Reddy were merged to form a single entity.
• 24th January, 1970 – Martyr’s Day:
• On 24th January, 1969, Martyr Shankar died during firing in Sadashivpet. To commemorate this, Mrs. Sadalakshmi gave a call to observe 24th January,1970 as “Martyr’s day”.

Telangana United Front:

• In January 1970, the legislative members seeking Telangana organized a meeting in Hyderabad under the Chairmanship of Nukala Ram Chandra Reddy.
• After the meeting, some Telangana legislators decided to quit the State Government and form the “Telangana United Front” party.
• On 6th February, 1970 V.B. Raju resigned to State Cabinet and formed the “Telangana United Front” party and became the party President.
• This front consisted of rebel Congressmen (28) and three Independent members (Total 31).
• Palvai Goverdhan Reddy, who was the first to sign on the list of this front, later withdrew. The rest of the list is given to the then Assembly Speaker B.V. Subba Reddy.
• On 9th February, 1970, speaker B. V. Subba Reddy announced that “Telangana United Front” party is recognised as the opposition party.
• Rama Chandra Reddy, became the leader of opposition in the legislature, replacing Gouthu Lachchanna, he was the opposition leader till then.

 Important leaders joined in Telangana United Front:

• Nukala Ram Chandra Reddy
• Achyutha Reddy
• Konda Laxman Bapuji
• Ram Chandra Reddy
• On 24th March, 1970 during the budget introduction by the Finance Minister Vijay Bhasker Reddy, the members of Telangana United Front walked out of the Assembly for showing the budget estimations separate for Andhra and Telangana region.

Extensive Powers to Telangana Regional Council:

• On 7th March, 1970 the president issued an order extending the powers of Telangana Regional Council by amendingAndhra Pradesh Regional Committee order – 1958.
• The extended powers, as amended, came into effect on 9th March, 1970.
• Increased Powers of Regional Committee:
• The details of income – expenditure department wise should be shown separately for Andhra – Telangana region.
• University Education, jobs and industry also come under the ambit of Telangana Regional Committee.
• The rules and regulations to be followed for the recruitment of locals of Telangana come under the ambit of Regional Committee.
• The State Government should submit a report to the Regional Committee on the implementation of the Central Government decision on Merger of services.
• A report should be submitted every six months to the Regional Committee explaining the steps taken by the Government on the recommen- dations made by the Regional Committee.

High level Supervisory Committee on Employee’s Issues – 1970:

• This Committee was appointed as per the resolution made by Telangana Regional Committee in August, 1969.
• The State Government has constituted a high – level committee chaired by “Justice Nasirullah Baig” to give suggestions on the issues of Telangana employees.

Other members in this Committee:

1. Iqbal Chand (member of Revenue Board)
2. R. Krishna Swamy (Special Secretary to the Board of Revenue)
3. Rao Saheb

Telangana should be given a status of Sub-State – V.B. Raju:

• In the Rajya Sabha elections held on 28th March, 1970 the president of Telangana UnitedFrontV.B.Raju,waselectedtoRajya Sabha from Telangana Region by a Margin of 31 votes in the third set of counting under Legislators Quota.
• On 13th May, 1970 V.B. Raju during his speech in Rajya Sabha requested the Central Government to give “Sub-State” status to Telangana, as given to Meghalaya.

1. V. Ranga Reddy Death:

• On 24th July, 1970 K. V. Ranga Reddy (80) died at 10.30 pm.
• The dead body was covered with Telangana Flag and the funeral was held at Amberpet Cemetery with Government’s mandate.
• Formation of Telangana Praja Parishad:
• Some important persons formed “Telangana Praja Parishad” for achieving Separate Telangana.

Important among them:

1. R. Amos  Jagan Mohan Reddy
2. P. Saxena  Ansari

• On 3rd September, 1970 about 250 members of Parliament presented a memorandum to the Prime Minister with a proposal to establish a legislative mechanism for the implementation of decisions given by the Telangana Regional Committee.

Telangana Praja Samithi as a Political Party

• On 28th February, 1969 students and lawyers formed “Telangana people’s Convention”, this transformed as “Telangana Praja Samithi” on 25th March, 1969 and in later period changed as a political party due to the entry of political leaders.
• Khairatabad by-elections:
• By-elections were held for Khairatabad constituency, due to the death of Congress party M.L.A B.V. Guru Murthy.
• In these by- elections, Telangana Praja Samithi declared Nagam Krishna Rao as their candidate. But Konda Laxman, Sadalakshmi opposed the candidature of Nagam Krishna Rao and made their candidate Venkatesham to file nomination. But, later Venkatesham withdrew his nomination.
• The Ruling congress party declared “S.Yadagiri” as its candidate.
• On 15th June, 1970 the results were announced in which Nagam Krishna Rao, a member of Telangana Praja Samithi, who contested the election with the Separate Telangana Slogan won over Yadagiri by a margin of about 14 thousand votes.
• Chenna Reddy commented that, “this is a victory for the Telangana people”.
• Due to this, the congress deferred the municipal elections, which were to be held in June due to the fear of losing election.
• At the same time, panchayat Raj elections were held and the Telangana Praja Samithi failed to win as expected.
• However, there were indirect elections for the chairman post of Panchayati Samithi and Zilla The Praja Samithi leaders said that they could not compete with the money and reputation of ruling party.

Legislative Council elections:

• On 24th June, 1970 elections were held for six legislative council seats in Telangana.
• Out of these 6 seats, T.P.S contested for 5 seats and won three.
• In Hyderabad district, from one local constituency T.P.S candidate Venkat Rami Reddy won the election and from another constituency Congress candidate K. Prabhakar Reddy won.
• One each T.P.S candidate won in Mahbubnagar and Medak districts.
• On 23rd July, 1970 Telangana Praja Samithi was changed as a Political Party.

Siddipet By-election:

• The rural constituency Siddipet MLA seat has been vacated due to the election of Siddipet legislator V. B. Raju as a Rajya Sabha member.
• On 17th November, 1970 the by – election was held for Siddipet constituency, in which Telangana Praja Samithi candidate “Madan Mohan” won over the congress Party candidate P.V. Rajeshwar Rao with 19,800 votes majority.
• Marri Chenna Reddy said that, “the T. P. S victory in Siddipet by – election will ensure that all regions and communities irrespective of rural and urban areas support for Separate Telangana”.
• With this victory, various political parties have changed their opinion on Telangana.
• At a meeting held in Kakinada, the Jan Sangh Party delegation said that their leadership is going to review its earlier opinion on Telangana.
• The outcome of Siddipet election is a proof of Public opinion. Therefore, the C.P.I party opined that a solution should be found in the case of Telangana.

Telangana Liberation Movement Committee:
On 28th January, a Telangana Liberation Movement Committee summit was convened in Warangal under the leadership of Kaloji Narayana Rao, who also presided over the meeting.

Key Resolutions Passed at the Summit:

• Demand for the resignation of the Chief Minister
• Call for the imposition of Presidential Rule in the state

Establishment of the Telangana People’s Convention:
The Telangana People’s Convention was formed on 28th February under the leadership of Anantula Madan Mohan, a young lawyer hailing from Siddipet. Over time, this convention laid the foundation for the emergence of the Telangana Praja Samithi (TPS).

Q. How did the formation of Telangana Praja Samithi (TPS) in 1969 transform the course of the 1969 Telangana Movement?

• Introduction	The Telangana Praja Samithi (TPS) was formed on March 25, 1969, and significantly influenced the Telangana Movement by organizing it into a more structured and effective campaign for statehood.
  Body	Impact of TPS on the 1969 Telangana Movement: 1.      Organization and Leadership: ·         TPS provided a formal structure for the movement, helping to coordinate efforts across Telangana. Leaders like Madan Mohan and later Marri Chenna Reddy helped focus the movement’s goals and increased its credibility both locally and nationally. 2.      Escalation of Protests: ·         Under TPS, the movement intensified with organized protests like marches, strikes, and sit-ins. These actions made the movement more visible and pressured the government to respond to their demands. 3.      Increased Incidents and Government Reaction: ·         The movement led to several clashes with the police, notably at Jamai Osmania Railway Station and in Hyderabad and Secunderabad, where police actions resulted in the deaths of protesters. These tragic events drew significant public and media attention to the movement. 4.      Wider Support and Recognition: ·         TPS managed to draw support from influential leaders from other regions and even got the issue discussed in the Indian Parliament. This broadened support helped push the Telangana issue onto the national stage. 5.      Inclusive Participation: ·         The movement under TPS saw strong participation from various groups, including significant contributions from women leaders like Sangem Laxmibai and Sadalaxmi, who played active roles in organizing and resource mobilization. 6.      Community Engagement and Resources: ·         TPS leaders, such as Sadalaxmi, engaged deeply with the community, even selling personal assets to fund the movement. This commitment showed the depth of support for Telangana’s statehood and motivated more people to join the cause.
  Conclusion	TPS’s efforts were crucial in bringing national attention to the movement and laying the groundwork for Telangana’s eventual statehood in 2014.