Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat media point, Ganta said that the criticism against the CWC decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh was not revolt against the Congress party, but expression of views of people that Seemandhra legislators represent in the Assembly and Parliament. He said that if opposing CWC decision was indiscipline, then both Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and the PCC chief himself were guilty of doing this. He advised Botsa to ignore the issue and avoid any follow-up.

Ganta said that there were some leaders who were targeting the Congress party in order to join other parties. However, there are some leaders who are still holding the flag of Congress party despite their opposition to party’s decision to divide the State.

Referring to the demand of Union Minister K Chiranjeevi to make Hyderabad a Union Territory, Ganta said that those were the individual views of Chiranjeevi. He said that Seemandhra legislators have not changed their stand and were still demanded that Andhra Pradesh should remain united.

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The meeting, to be held at party headquarters Gandhi Bhavan on Monday, will also be attended by Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy. Interesting, the PCC president has convened separate meetings with the leaders from Telangana and Seemandhra regions. While the meeting with Telangana leaders would be convened at 11 AM, Botsa and CM would meet the Seemandhra leaders at 4.30 PM.

According to sources, the meetings have been convened to discuss the strategy to be adopted during the all-party meeting being convened by the Group of Ministers (GoM) on Telangana next week. The GoM had also sought the views of all political parties on its Terms of Reference and therefore, the State Congress leaders would finalise the views to be sent to the GoM.

Sources say that the State Congress, which is already a divided house, would sent a split opinion on the bifurcation issue to satisfy the stand of leaders from the both the regions.

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Talking to reporters here, Botsa said that the Congress High Command should reconsider its decision on the bifurcation issue following the demand being made by Seemandhra leaders. However, he gave clear indications that the Centre might not consider his appeal. Hinting that the process of Telangana formation was already in motion, he said that the issues like sharing resources needs in-depth study. He said that the employment and educational opportunities for the Seemandhra population should be considered by the Centre. Further, there should be more clarity on status of Hyderabad.

Further, Botsa said that the Congress party would not issue a whip when the Telangana Resolution is presented in the Assembly. He said that the MLAs would be free to vote as per the sentiments of the people that they represent.

The PCC chief appealed to the people of Seemandhra region to maintain restrain and peace. He blamed the Telugu Desam Party and YSR Congress for the present unrest and said both the parties supported State’s bifurcation and were not blaming the Congress for the same. He also slammed TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao for his allegedly making provocative statements against Seemandhra employees. He said such statements do not suit the stature of a senior politician like KCR.

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The PCC chief said that they will not do away with the free power to farmers’ scheme. He was here to offer condolences to Daggubait Venkateswara Rao, whose mother died recently.

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Talking to reporters after lodging a formal complaint with PCC president Botsa Satyanarayana at latter’s residence, TPJAC Chairman Prof Kodandaram said that Renuka Chowdhary’s remarks were insult to the martyrs of Telangana and she should tender an apology for the same. He alleged that Renuka Chowdhary was acting like a spokesperson of Seemandhra leaders.

Demanding that the Congress party take stern action against the Rajya Sabha member, Kodandaram said that Renuka Chowdhary would not be allowed to move freely in the region until she tenders an apology. He also claimed that Botsa responded positively to the JAC’s complaint and assured to look into it. INN

Addressing a press conference along with former minister Mohammad Ali Shabbir, Botsa said that the information received from the Centre was not actionable and it was only a general alert. He said that the terror attacks have been occurring even as the government was taking adequate security measures.

Condemning the twin blast at Dilsukhnagar, Botsa expressed his deep condolences to the families of the deceased persons. He appealed to the people to maintain peace and help the police in maintaining law and order.
AICC Secretary Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy and party spokesperson Dr N Tulasi Reddy were also present. INN

The two have discussed about the local bodies elections and the reservation policy to be adopted with special focus on BC reservations. They decided to go to polls at the earliest, it is learnt.

The Supreme Court has given its nod for holding the elections to local bodies. The Congress has tasted big win in the cooperative elections though they were not held on party symbol. While TDP proved good in Khammam, YSRCP was well off in Kadapa. There is a demand that local bodies elections should be held on party basis. INN

Botsa, who is here on being summoned by the High Command, said that he has given his opinion on the issue and he will abide by the decision being taken by Congress and UPA. My version was given to the Party and it is not proper to reveal it to the press. They will take a decision and I will abide by it, he said.

Botsa said that he would be attending the State Congress presidents’ meeting convened by Rahul Gandhi on February 15 and 16.

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