BJP wants Sep 17 to be celebrated as Telangana Liberation Day

"Inspite of repeated requests by the party to celebrate the day as 'Telangana Liberation Day', TDP and Congress governments have neglected the people's demand and it was an affront to four-and-a-half crore people of the region," senior BJP leader Bandaru Dattatreya told reporters here.

The region got freedom from the clutches of erstwhile Nizam rule in 1948, a year after the country's independence in 1947, he said.

Reiterating party’s demand Dattatreya urged Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy to declare officially September 17 as Telangana Liberation Day and organise official programmes.

After freedom for the region, some of the districts were merged in Karnataka and Maharashtra and these states celebrate the day officially, Dattatreya said.

"Why the Andhra Pradesh government is hesitating to celebrate the day officially," he asked.

Urging political parties in Telangana region to celebrate the day at a large scale, Dattatreya said all educational institutions and employees should hoist tricolour in their offices and public places to show their strength.

Telangana, Marathwada and some districts in Karnataka were under the control of Nizam rulers even after the country gained independence in 1947. In September 17, 1948 the province was liberated and integrated with the Indian union.

T Rajeshwar Rao, Chairman of Telangana struggle committee of the state party was also present on the occasion.