As the process of creating Telangana is heading for its final stage, former Minister and MLA of Secunderabad Cantonment P. Shankar Rao has suggested that the Telangana State should be called “Sonia Telangana State” as she is instrumental in creating it and preventing further suicides by youths.

Mr. Rao, who is here to meet Congress leaders Digvijay Singh, Veerappa Moily and Ghulam Nabi Azad, told The Hindu that as already over 1,000 youths had committed suicide protesting delay in formation of Telananga, and it was Ms. Gandhi who brought the situation under control by announcing the new State.

‘Telangana Talli’

It would be fitting to call her ‘Telangana Talli’ (mother of Telangana), Mr. Rao said and added that he would be constructing gardens in and around Hyderabad and install Telangana Talli statues.