The Congress party finds itself in a piquant situation over allowing party leaders from different regions to raise the issue of bifurcation of the State at the party’s convention here on December 16 to gear up the party rank and file for the next general elections.
That the meeting will witness fireworks was made clear by senior leader from Telangana K. Keshava Rao on Thursday.
He said “nobody can restrict members from voicing issues in the Congress, a party which is most democratic.”
The Telangana leaders will certainly make their voice heard by seeking clarity on the issue albeit in a democratic manner, he added.
He was responding to an appeal by AP Congress Committee president Botcha Satyanarayana not to raise the Telangana issue at the convention as the party high command was already seized of the matter.
“It is not the right platform,” he said at a meeting with Ministers, MLAs and other senior leaders to review arrangements for the convention.
It was attended by Congress leaders from Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts, including Ministers J. Geetha Reddy, P. Sabitha Indra Reddy.
The PCC chief said he would make an open appeal at the inaugural asking members of both sides to refrain from making a mention of the ‘sensitive’ issue.
“We will try to persuade the members as the issue is not under the purview of the State any more,” he said.
Congress MLC K. Yadav Reddy was reported to have faulted Union Home Ministry’s decision to invite two representatives from each political party citing the decision gave rise to doubts over the Congress’ sincerity in resolving the issue.
Mr. Satyanarayana is reported to have said that he respected the aspirations of the people of the region and would communicate their feelings to Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde at an appropriate time.
He wanted the leaders of the twin cities and Ranga Reddy district to take the convention as prestigious event since they were hosting it and to ensure that no inconvenience was caused to the participants.
