In a bid to buy peace with Seemandhra, AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh said the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh was a painful decision the Congress had to make.
He said the party had no option but to create Telangana since all parties including the TDP and the YSRC, had given in writing that they would lend their support to the separate Telangana State. “It’s another matter that both the TDP and the YSRC had gone back on their word,” Mr. Singh said while speaking to reporters in New Delhi on Monday.
Mr. Singh said the Union Home Ministry would decide and recommend to the President a date for the new State of Telangana to come into existence. “We would like both Telangana and residuary A.P. to come into existence as early as possible.”
‘Every demand has been conceded’He appealed to the people of Seemandhra and Telangana, and elected representatives to part as friends. “We are Indians at heart and all those who have contributed to the growth of Hyderabad in particular and AP in general have made it a leading State,” he stressed.
He said except the demand for a Union Territory for Hyderabad, they had virtually conceded all the demands put forth by Seemandhra leaders. “Whether it was the grant of a special package or giving the submerged areas of Khammam to facilitate construction of Polavaram and setting up of top institutions in Seemandhra, every demand has been conceded,” he pointed out.
He also said the demand for a new capital for Seemandhra and constitution of river boards for the Krishna and the Godavari are being considered. Mr. Singh said the Centre would make every effort to fulfil promises made to people of both regions.
The AICC leader said party vice-president Rahul Gandhi was keen to see that feelings of people of both States were assuaged and that there was greater bonding between the States. He appealed to the people of Telangana not to create a situation which would leave an unpleasant taste among residents of Telangana region.
He went on to add: “I am certain that both States have the potential to become leaders in all fields of development.”
Published - February 25, 2014 03:26 am IST
