Make-shift temple for Sonia in Telangana

Bouquets and brickbats for dividing Andhra Pradesh and creating Telangana, it seems, are targeted at just one person: Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

While those protesting the state’s division built tombs for the Congress chief at Tirupati, a make-shift temple for Sonia has come up in Karimnagar, 150 kilometres from here, for setting the ball rolling for Telangana creation.

Constructed under the aegis of Karimnagar Congress leaders at Indira Chowk, the temple consists of a wooden ‘gopuram’ and a small sanctum bearing Sonia’s portrait.
 Local leaders vow to convert the make-shift structure into a permanent one after the formation of the country’s 29th state.

Telangana Congress leaders led by local MP Ponnam Prabhakar said daily prayers would be held at the ' Pavitra Mandiram of Telangana Devata', until the Telangana Bill is passed in state Assembly and in Parliament and the state is eventually formed.

Temples for politicians and film stars are nothing new in Andhra Pradesh. A temple for former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was built in Rajahmundry town by local godman Ramalinga Sidhanti.

A temple stands for former chief minister N T Rama Rao in Krishna district.