Telugu actress pledges life to Telangana cause

Popular Telugu film actress Vijayashanti added fuel to fire when she vowed to sacrifice her life for a separate Telangana state.

Andhra Pradesh has been duelling with separatist forces for the past three decades, who have been demanding statehood for the Telangana region comprising 10 districts including Hyderabad.

Vijayashanti, also known as ‘Lady Amitabh’ for her fiery roles in Telugu films, took out a yatra (procession) from Hyderabad to Ramannagudem, her birthplace in Warangal district. Hundreds of people greeted her en route and pledged their support to the cause of a separate Telangana state.

This is the actress’ first visit to the region after she quit Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on May 26 and announced launching of a movement for separate state.

Interestingly, two political outfits – Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) – contend Vijayashanti’s claim that she was born in the region.

It was to prove her detractors wrong that the actress Saturday embarked on a visit to Ramannagudem. She said that she hails from the village as her forefathers were born and brought up there.

The actress, who received a warm welcome from her fans in Kazipet in Warangal district, said: "The region has suffered a lot for past 50 years and I will not rest till it gets separate statehood," she pronounced amid cheers.

Vijayashanti came down heavily on the Congress and TDP for neglecting the region. She also targeted the TRS for betraying people by sharing power with Congress at the Centre and in the state.

Maoists, who have warned TRS leaders to sever links with the Congress, have indicted that they might support the actress if she is sincere in fighting for Telangana’s cause.