New Delhi: The Congress Working Committee on Tuesday gave the green signal for the formation of a separate state of Telangana in a crucial meet that was held in the national capital. Earlier, the UPA allies had also endorsed the formation of a separate state. Addressing the media, senior Congress leaders, Ajay Maken and Digvijay Singh formally announced the decision that was taken at the CWC meet. "Centre will be asked to take steps for the creation of Telangana," Ajay Maken said. He added that Hyderabad would be the joint capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for ten years. Maken further said, "The decision taken today were after wide deliberations. Concerns of all parties will be addressed." "CWC appeals to all Congressmen to give their support so that the formation of Telangana can be carried out in letter and spirit," he added. On his part, Digvijay Singh said that the resolution will have to be passed by the Andhra Pradesh Assembly and will then be sent to the Cabinet. He also said, "Political expediency can never be a reason for taking such a crucial decision." He was reacting to a query whether the decision was solely political. "Congress party solidly stands behind its decision," he further added. The Congress leader said that the Congress had always supported the formation of Telangana. It was the BJP which was opposed to the formation of a new state. "During NDA rule, LK Advani had said that they were not in favour of Telangana," Digvijay Singh told the media. "As far as TRS is concerned, its leader have always said that once the new state is formed, they will merge their party with the Congress," he replied to a question on the future of TRS and said that the formation of Telangana will take 4-5 months. Congress president Sonia Gandhi also held talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today. Sonia met Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, Finance Minister P Chidambaram, AICC general secretary in charge of Andhra Pradesh Digvijay Singh, former in-charge Ghulam Nabi Azad and Sonia’s political secretary Ahmad Patel after her meeting with the PM. The decision for the formation of a separate state was taken despite strong opposition from party leaders from Andhra and Rayalaseema regions to the formation of Telangana; they have warned the party of the problems that could follow the division. In a last minute attempt to convince the party high command against bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Union Minister MM Pallam Raju met Sonia Gandhi. Talking to reporters later, Raju said, “We have expressed our concern, requested party high command to take a responsible decision.” The Congress had refuted reports that Reddy and other Seemandhra ministers have issued veiled threats to step down from their posts if the state is bifurcated. Given the developments that have taken place today, it may be said that the Congress by backing the formation of Telangana has simply bought time. Questions remain whether the resolution to form a separate state out of Andhra Pradesh will be passed by the state Assembly. In such a scenario, the Chief Minister may recommend dissolution of the House and seek fresh mandate from the people saying that they were in favour of Telangana state. Meanwhile, an additional 1,000 paramilitary personnel have been rushed to Andhra Pradesh by the Union Home Ministry to deal with any situation arising out of a decision on Telangana. Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said today that "Law and order situation in Andhra Pradesh is absolutely fine,".
Posted on: Tue, 30 Jul 2013 15:47:08 +0000
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