The Union Cabinet is likely to clear the note on bifurcation of the State before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh leaves for the United Nations on September 27.
Congress sources said the high command was firm on expediting the process of creation of Telangana. In tune with this decision, the Cabinet meeting was likely to take place before the Prime Minister’s foreign visit to approve the Union Home Ministry's note.
After a meeting with party president Sonia Gandhi, who returned from her US visit, former PCC chief D. Srinivas reportedly told his aides that she was serious about implementing the announcement on bifurcation. She wants to fulfil her promise by amicably settling the concerns of Seemandhra region within the framework of the Congress Working Committee's decision to divide the State.
Mr. Srinivas reportedly urged her not to delay the creation of Telangana as it could lead to fresh problems. He expressed confidence that the high command would go as per the roadmap it had laid down on bifurcation.
He said the Congress leadership had taken a decision in favour of division only after holding a series of consultations with political parties. He said the Antony Committee was committed to addressing the concerns of Seemandhra people.
In another development, Seemandhra Congress leaders continued to meet the Union Government officials and try to gauge their mood. Minister for Primary Education S. Sailajanath, Government Whip R. Padmaraju and MLC Paladugu Venkat Rao, who met officials of the Union Home Ministry on Thursday, are said to have sought some inputs on what the Centre would do on Article 371 (D) that provides for special provision for different regions in terms of employment.
Another issue which the Seemandhra leaders sought to know from the Central Government officials, was the fate of Hyderabad. They felt that the officials themselves were not clear on the likely status of Hyderabad -- whether a joint capital for 10 years or a Union Territory. There was also lack of clarity about the wording of the preamble to the draft Bill on Telangana. They wondered how the Centre would justify its decision to partition the State without giving impetus to similar demands on other States.
Union Ministers and MPs from Seemandhra region will hold a meeting at the Ministers Club today to take stock of the situation.
