Kakinada, Dec 31st: The Telugu Desam senior leader and former minister, Mr. Chikkala Ramachandra Rao, suspected that the Center might give separate statehood to Telangana as it proposed to conduct a meeting with eight recognized party leaders on January 5. If his suspicions are correct, the party here will resume the agitation in favor of a united Andhra from January 6 and hold discussions with all prounited Andhra leaders, irrespective of political parties, he added.

Speaking to media at the party's district office here on Thursday, Mr Rao said that most leaders attending the meet favored a separate Telangana. Till today, the Center had made two statements on bifurcation and was responsible for differences among the people of Andhra Pradesh. This time the Center has to take special care before announcing a third statement, otherwise 2010 would also be a bad year for people of the state, particularly those from Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra, he added.

Meanwhile, in Rajahmundry the Jai Andhra Movement secretary, Mr. J.T Ramarao, intends to take up fast unto death from January 5 if the Center failed to withdraw its proposal on the formation of a separate Telangana. The Jai Andhra leader said that a 10 member team representing their movement would be leaving to New Delhi from Vijayawada and explain about their stand on the issue.