Seemandhra ministers, legislators want T-decision reversed

Hyderabad, July 31: Ministers and elected representatives from Andhra and Rayalaseema regions are busy finalising the strategy to reverse the decision of Congress High Command of formation of Telangana State.

The ministers from Seemandhra region on Wednesday held a marathon meeting with Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy to discuss the future course of action in view of Congress Working Committee’s decision to grant statehood to Telangana region. According to sources, a majority of ministers wanted the mass resignations strategy to be adopted to pressurise the High Command. However, a few senior ministers were in favour of stalling the process of Telangana formation through different means.

With just a few months left for the General Elections, some Seemandhra ministers were of the view that they should delay or drag the process at every stage to ensure that the Telangana Bill does not get introduces in the 15th Lok Sabha, whose term expires on May 31, 2014. Since Congress High Command is completely in favour of Telangana and it has made its opinion public, the ministers felt that it would not reverse its decision immediately fearing political repercussions. However, by delaying the process, the Telangana issue could be dragged to the next government.

The Seemandhra ministers will meet the Chief Minister again at 7 PM on Thursday to take a final decision.

Meanwhile, the elected representatives from the Andhra and Rayalaseema region have conducted a meeting at 12 noon on Thursday at MLAs’ Quarters to discuss future course of action. Based on their decision, the Seemandhra ministers, along with the Chief Minister, will finalise the next strategy.