Telangana: Congress MLA breaks eight-day-old fast

HYDERABAD: Congress MLA and former minister Komatireddy Venkata Reddy today called off his eight-day-long fast in support of the separate Telangana demand.

Venkata Reddy was offered lime juice by the mother of Yadaiah, who allegedly committed suicide in Delhi in support of separate statehood demand, at the state-run Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) here.

Venkata Reddy ended his fast on the request of family members, Telangana Congress leaders and other Telangana supporters, his brother and MP Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy told reporters at the hospital.

"We expect a statement on Telangana issue to come in the next three or four days. He ended his fast as per our appeal and in the interest of his health. We are confident that the formation of separate Telangana is certain," Congress MP Gutta Sukhender Reddy said.

Venkata Reddy, who had quit as minister earlier, began his fast on November 1 at his native Nalgonda but he was forcibly admitted to the NIMS here on Sunday last.

TRS and the Telangana political Joint Action Committee (JAC) have also extended support to Venkata Reddy's fast.