The creation of a new Telangana state, on Friday received the backing of film actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi's fledgling Praja Rajyam, thus mounting pressure on ruling Congress, the only major stakeholder in Andhra Pradesh resisting the popular demand.

Addressing a gathering at Jagityal in Karimnagar, a seat represented in the Lok Sabha by TRS Chief K Chandrasekhara Rao, Chiranjeevi said his party would not stand in the way of a long-standing demand. He is the latest politician to become a Telangana proponent, just days after TDP chief and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu also did a U-turn on the issue.

Other political players with significant presence in the region i. e. BJP and TRS, are already fighting for the cause. Lobbying the ball in the Centre's court, Chiranjeevi said the people of the region favoured the creation of a separate state and, it was for the Centre to take a decision. Amid cheers from the crowd, on the second leg of his roadshow in Telangana heartland, Chiranjeevi asserted his party would not create any obstacles regarding the formation of a new Telangana state, as the Telangana region had been neglected for decades by successive governments.