Union Ministers and Congress MPs from Seemandhra on Saturday claimed that Home Minister S. K. Shinde had told them that the Cabinet note on division was not ready.
A delegation of Seemandhra leaders comprising Union Ministers Killi Kruparani, J. D. Seelam and Kotla Suryaprakash Reddy and other MPs said that they had brought to Mr. Shinde’s notice the ongoing agitation in Seemandhra and firmly demanded that the State be kept united.
Talking to reporters later, Congress MP from Rajampet A. Saipratap, said that the Union Minister informed them that the Cabinet note was not completely ready.
“He assured that the concerns of the Seemandhra region to be heard by the Antony committee will be included in the Cabinet note.” The MPs said that Mr. Shinde knew about the widespread protests in Seemandhra.
In another development, spouses of Union Ministers, Congress MPs met President Pranab Mukherjee and urged him to keep the State united.
Meanwhile, former Minister J. C. Diwakar Reddy hit out at the attitude of the high command.
Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Reddy said earmarking 2-lakh crore for IT Development Region in Hyderabad was causing anguish to the people of the Seemandhra region.
He said people had lot of faith in the ruling party and felt that it was solely responsible for division of the State.
Mr. Reddy said it was unfortunate that the high command was issuing statements causing concern in the minds of the Seemandhra people.
He said when everybody was under the impression that the Central leadership would give good package for the new State, it was rubbing salt in the wounds of the people by announcing hefty projects and allocation of IT projects.
‘Forced to rethink’
He expressed anguish that seniors like him were being forced to think about quitting politics.
Asked about the new party, he said leaders were waiting to see who would take the initiative. He said late YSR did not allow any Congress leader to grow in the party.
