T Congress leaders plan Delhi visit on Sept. 22

Concerned over claims that the process of division of the State has slowed down, Congress leaders from Telangana have decided to visit Delhi on September 22 to meet the Central leadership and make a vociferous demand to expedite the exercise.

At least two reasons seemed to have prompted the Telangana leaders to press the panic button and plan the Delhi visit. Firstly, 45 days after the CWC decision on division, there was apparently no forward movement except statements that process of division would continue. Secondly, the claims made by Seemandhra leaders that the high command was rethinking on its decision on bifurcation.

The four-hour-long meeting, attended by nine Ministers, eight MPs and two dozen legislators and party seniors of the region at the Ministers Club House on Sunday evening, reviewed the political situation. The focus of the meeting, it is understood, centred round the need to meet the high command on September 22 to express their gratitude for the decision and also make a strong appeal to expedite the process. Former PCC chief D. Srinivas is believed to have questioned the leaders why they were unable to take any forward step to strengthen the hands of AICC chief Sonia Gandhi, who had stood behind Telangana and wanted a delegation of leaders to meet central leaders.

Panchayat Raj Minister K. Jana Reddy favoured better coordination among the leaders till the bifurcation process was completed. Leaders like V. Hanumantha Rao and Palvai Goverdhan Reddy were critical of Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy’s assertion that the State would not be bifurcated.

Capital issue

The meeting was firm that Hyderabad was part of Telangana and would be its capital. The leaders could not arrive at a consensus on holding a public meeting in Hyderabad. Nevertheless, week-long programme beginning with Hyderabad Liberation Day on September 17 would be organised in all the 10 districts of Telangana.

Briefing reporters later, Minister for Information Technology Ponnala Lakshmaiah said eight resolutions were passed at the meeting: hailing the CWC decision on bifurcation; condemning statements that statehood process has slowed down; celebrating Hyderabad Liberation Day; flaying attempts to create confusion on T-decision; Hyderabad to be capital of Telangana State; assurance to entrepreneurs, employees, students, youths and those settled in Hyderabad about safety and security; appeal to youth and students not to resort to extreme action and paying homage to those who sacrificed their lives for statehood for the region.