Celebrations begin as Telangana set to become 29th state

Celebrations have begun in Hyderabad and all across Telangana as the separate state is set to become a reality at the stroke of midnight.

Tomorrow is the "appointed day" when Telangana would come into existence as the 29th state of India and Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) president K Chandrasekhar Rao is scheduled to assume office as chief minister at 8.15 am, sources said.

TRS, Congress and other political parties as well as pro-Telangana groups have lined up a series of programmes to celebrate the formation of the new state.

Telangana supporters gathered at People's Plaza at the picturesque Hussain Sagar Lake where cultural programmes and a dazzling display of fireworks are among the scheduled events.

Telangana supporters also took out victory rallies and distributed sweets to celebrate the occasion.

Congress leaders took out a rally here tonight, hailing their party president Sonia Gandhi for making separate statehood for Telangana a reality.

After taking oath as Telangana's first chief minister tomorrow, Chandrasekhar Rao is scheduled to attend official celebrations of Telangana formation at Parade Grounds here, sources said.

The national flag would be unfurled and celebrations would be organised at the offices of Congress, TDP, BJP and YSR Congress tomorrow morning, sources said.