Denied permission to hold a public meeting by the Hyderabad police, the recently-launched Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) has written to the Union Defence Ministry, seeking permission to hold the meet at Parade Grounds in Secunderabad.
The meeting is scheduled to be held on April 29, to mark the party’s launch. The TJS was denied permission in the Saroornagar Stadium due an event already being held there, while the police said that NTR stadium could not be used for political meets. The party is yet to receive a response on the LB Nagar stadium.
Speaking to reporters, TJS chief Kodandaram said, "TRS is practising a 'pick and choose formula'. While permissions are given for religious events and other public gatherings, including political meetings of other parties and organisations, only TJAC and now TJS are being denied the same. CPM has been given permission to hold its public meeting at LB Nagar for which we are happy, but why deny the constitutionally guaranteed right to hold a meeting to TJS.”
Professor Kodandaram, who is also the chairman of the Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC), filed a petition with the Hyderabad High Court on the issue.
Following this, the court asked the Telangana government to clearly spell its stand on granting permission to the TJS.
Earlier this week, Kodandaram unveiled the flag of his newly-launched TJS and said that the party drew inspiration from the martyrs who gave up their lives during the agitation for a separate state.
Addressing reporters last week, Kodandaram said that he would contest in the 2019 elections and said that the TJS will be formally launched on April 29, where the party will demonstrate its strength.
The TJAC chief said that he was forced to form a political party as the government had violated democratic norms with impunity.
Kodandaram also lashed out at Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for curbing dissent and arresting people who spoke up against injustice.