The Centre’s efforts towards formation of separate Telangana picked up further momentum when Governor, E. S. L. Narasimhan had a series of meetings beginning with Congress president Sonia Gandhi and members of the Group of Ministers in New Delhi on Wednesday.
In between he also met the President, Pranab Mukherjee. Mr. Narasimhan’s day began with a meeting with Finance Minister P. Chidambaram followed by Home Minister S. K. Shinde where he is also said to have met the Intelligence Bureau chief. While he was in a meeting with Mr. Chidambaram, word was sent to him about his appointment with Ms. Gandhi.
He drove straight to 10 Janpath, where he was closeted with the Congress president for some time to discuss the issues relating to division of the State. During the series of meetings, Ms. Gandhi and the Central Ministers are understood to have enquired about certain aspects involved in formation of Telangana and whether the people would accept a proposal to make Hyderabad a Union Territory.
Among others, the Governor met Union Ministers – A.K. Antony, Jairam Ramesh, V.Narayanasamy and AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh. Though, he refused to divulge the details of his interaction with the Congress leadership and others, the Governor was believed to have been briefed about the firm resolve of the Centre to bifurcate the State.
The Governor briefed the Central leaders about the prevailing political as well as law and order situation in the State ever since, the Congress Working Committee gave its go-ahead for division of the State.
Digvijay declines comment
“It was just a courtesy call and we had general discussion,” he told reporters later while evading replies to queries on Telangana and the status of Hyderabad. “There were no discussions,” he added.
Approached by reporters, Mr. Digvijay Singh said he was grateful to the Governor for meeting him but avoided replies on what transpired during the deliberations.
