The Congress on Tuesday intensified efforts to mollify its legislators from Telangana with senior leader Pranab Mukherjee meeting a delegation of them pressing for a separate State.
The delegation comprising three Ministers, a few MPs, an MLA and an MLC, met Mr. Mukherjee at his residence and the discussions continued till late in the night.
This is the second meeting of the delegation with senior Congress leaders on Tuesday.
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They had one round of discussion with Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, also party in-charge of Andhra Pradesh, and explained as to why they resigned from their positions.
The leaders are also expected to meet Ahmed Patel, political advisor to the Congress president.
The meetings are part of the Congress’ strategy to engage with the legislators, who have put in their papers, and explain to them the position of the party and the Centre on the issue.
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The legislators are believed to have told Mr. Mukherjee that they are ready for discussions with the high command on the Telangana statehood issue.
They are understood to have told them that the resignations were basically to convey the sentiments of the people of Telangana to the Centre.
After the meeting, Andhra Pradesh Minister K. Jana Reddy told reporters that Mr. Mukherjee gave them a patient hearing.
“He knows everything about the Telangana issue. He gave a very patient hearing to us. We explained to him the whole problem, and he said there is a need to talk to other people also. Mukherjee told us that all issues will be taken into account while finding solution to the issue,” Mr. Reddy said.