Giving indications that it is serious about finding a solution to the Telangana issue, the Congress party’s central leadership has reportedly constituted a four-member team of legal experts to prepare a report on the pros and cons of bifurcation.
All four are legal luminaries and have been entrusted the task of looking into issues relating to sharing of river water, status of Hyderabad and division of resources and hold consultations with AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi and other senior leaders. A highly placed source told The Hindu on Monday that the Congress leadership did not want any legal complexities to confront them if a decision was taken in favour of Telangana. “The panel held preliminary meetings and is expected to complete its work before the Parliament session begins on August 5,” the source said.
The legal team was put in place after the Core Committee meeting of July 12. Sources said the report could help the Centre while preparing a draft legislation if and when the Congress decides to concede the separate Telangana demand. Apparently, the central leaders have taken note of the threats held out by some sections to challenge in a court of law any decision on bifurcation of the State.
A senior Congress leader, however, maintained that the Union Home Ministry has the manpower to take care of the different aspects of bifurcation like the legal, political and geographical framework .
Deputy CM in Delhi
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister C. Damodar Rajnarsimha was in New Delhi to meet the central leaders and submit his second report on the need to divide the State. It is understood that the AICC leadership has sounded the PCC president to be ready to come to Delhi for further consultations as and when summoned. He is likely to leave on Tuesday.
