An initiative by Telangana and Seemandhra Ministers to discuss about strategies to counter the Opposition criticism of the party leadership’s decision on bifurcation of the State ended inconclusively as the two sides remained firm on their respective stand.
Ministers K. Jana Reddy, D. Sridhar Babu and Basvaraj Saraiah from Telangana and Ganta Srinivasa Rao and Erasu Pratap Reddy from Seemandhra held discussions at the CLP office in the Assembly on Thursday. The meeting comes in the backdrop of mounting criticism of the Congress leadership, particularly AICC president Sonia Gandhi, by Opposition parties for conceding the separate statehood demand.
The discussions were, however, focussed on the pros and cons of the Congress’ decision to carve out the separate State. While the Telangana Ministers appealed to their Seemandhra counterparts to cooperate in the implementation of the CWC resolution, the latter were firm on their resolve for maintaining the united State.
The Seemandhra Ministers expressed their willingness in ensuring that they were prepared to ensure that the Telangana leaders would be made the Chief Minister and the APCC president besides cooperating in the grant of attractive package for the region.
The Telangana Ministers, however, said the party’s decision came as a culmination of the six-decade struggle of the people and there would be no going back on the party’s decision in favour of Telangana State with Hyderabad as its capital.
Ministers slam TDP, YSR Congress
Speaking to reporters after an hour-long deliberation, Mr. Sridhar Babu and Mr. Saraiah criticised the opposition parties for their U-turn on Telangana after insisting that the Congress announce its decision on the issue.
“The opposition parties, including the TDP and the YSR Congress, are trying to hoodwink the people after assuring at the all-party meeting that they are not opposed to the bifurcation,” Mr. Sridhar Babu said.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao said the meeting was an informal one towards ensuring a cordial atmosphere and the Telangana Ministers were explained how the CWC decision had resulted in a spontaneous movement in Seemandhra region as people were against bifurcation. “There are several issues, including the capital, employment and water sharing that cannot be resolved if the State is divided,” he said.
Mr. Pratap Reddy rejected reports that he was in favour of Rayala-Telangana, claiming that the problems of the Rayalaseema people could be resolved only in the united State.
The Ministers from the two sides asserted that Thursday’s meeting was preliminary in nature and there would be more such interactions in the coming days where views and concerns would be exchanged and efforts to resolve the issues amicably be made.
