Home Minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy on Friday told Maharashtrians in the twin cities that they were not ‘Marathis’ but ‘Tela-nganites’, recalling that they were steadfast in their support for a separate State.

Speaking at a function organised by the Vivek Vardhini Educational Society, marking the birth anniversary of its founder, Vishnu Vaman Shiwarkar, that was also part of the Jagatik Marathi Divas, and attended by Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mohd. Mahmood Ali, he said that the Marathis were always ahead in the service of people.

Support promised

“When we organised the first meeting for a separate Telangana in 1969, no one gave us a venue and it was in these very grounds that we held it. When the Nizam welcomed you, why can’t we make you feel comfortable? Any problems you have, I will take it up with the Chief Minister,” he said amid applause.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – February 28th, 2015