“The bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh was initiated when YSR was the CLP leader in 1999. He was also a party to the manifesto which we released in 2004. He was also a party when Congress had an alliance with the TRS. He was also a party when a statement was made on the floor of the House,” Digvijay Singh said while reacting to the resignations given by YSRCP President Jagan Mohan Reddy and his mother Vijayamma from the posts.

Stating that the Congress party held YSR in the highest esteem, he appealed to his family members to accept the decision. He said that the announcement was the continuation of efforts for creation of Telangana.

When asked about Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy’s recent statements on Telangana, Digvijay Singh made it clear that the Chief Minister did not challenge the decision taken by the Congress Working Committee. “I have seen his press conference. He only said that the issues that arise after bifurcation should be resolved. It is a logical stand taken by him,” he said.

Digvijay Singh ruled out taking any action against the Chief Minister and said he had spoken to him and he was quite satisfied.

The AICC General Secretary also dismissed fears that the Telangana decision would have an impact on the students and businessmen. He said in a democratic country like India, every citizen was free to study, stay and do business anywhere. Therefore, he said that the people should not be afraid of any implications.

Digvijay Singh also said that the Congress party has taken the decision after talking to all political parties and after having the almost consensus on bifurcation. He said that the Congress party would never review on its decision. “People may say one thing and do another. But the Congress party has always stood by its commitment. The stand was taken only after detailed discussion and deliberations with all concerned,” he said.

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Talking to reporters here, Digvijay Singh dismissed the reports that the Centre has stalled the Telangana formation process. “Telangana process is not stopped. The process will continue,” he clarified.

When asked about concerns expressed by Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy over the formation of Telangana, Digvijay Singh also said that he would speak to the Chief Minister to get more clarity. However, he said that Kiran Kumar Reddy was a loyal Congress worker and would abide by the decision taken by the Congress Working Committee. Stating that the High Powered Committee led by AK Antony would address the concerns of Seemandhra people, he said that the committee would begin deliberations from Tuesday.

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This was stated by AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh in an interview given to a national television news channel aired on Sunday. He said that the law and order in Hyderabad, the would-be joint capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, might be handled by the Centre with the Police Commissioner directly reporting to Lieutenant Governor.

Justifying the consent given for Telangana formation, Digvijay Singh said that the Congress party has honoured the commitment that it gave earlier. He also claimed that widest possible consultations were held with all sections including political parties and State leaders on the Telangana issue. However, he took light of the resignations being given by elected representatives from the Seemandhra region after the announcement.

Digvijay Singh said that the party was still in favour of constitution of second States Reorganisation Commission to study the demand for smaller States. He said that the party still stands by the resolution that it adopted in 2002 for the second SRC. He dismissed the allegations that a decision was taken in favour of Telangana to save party’s prospects in the region.

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According to sources, citing lack of consensus, the Congress High Command might delay the decision, which was earlier expected to be taken during Congress Core Committee meeting scheduled on July 12. “There is no change in stand by any leader. While Telangana leaders want a separate State, the leaders of Andhra and Rayalaseema regions, are against the division,” a senior Congress leader involved in the process of preparing the road-map for Telangana told this website.

PCC president Botsa Satyanarayana has collected the views of MPs and ministers while camping in the national capital since three days. However, sources say that the opinions expressed before the PCC president and Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy were divided. Following lack of consensus, the Congress leadership might not announce any decision on the Telangana although the Core Committee might discuss the issue.

Another leader pointed out that the Telangana Sadhana Sabha held on May 30 in Hyderabad was aimed at preventing the exodus of leaders to Telangana Rashtra Samithi. The Congress leadership was worried that more MPs and MLAs would follow senior leader K Keshava Rao, MPs G Vivek and Manda Jagannatham to the TRS. The Telangana Sadhana Sabha meeting was perfectly planned and it coincided with the visit of AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh to Visakhapatnam. The next day, he came to Hyderabad and held discussions on the issue. This was again followed by a series of meetings and visit of senior leaders to the national capital.

Sources said that the report submitted by Digvijay Singh to Congress president Sonia Gandhi contained no specific recommendation on formation of Telangana. He only presented an overall view of the existing scenario in the State. The Congress party is now planning to drag the issue till the end of August although it might take measures to maintain the present momentum.

Talking to reporters here, Gutta said that the Seemandhra leaders have been trying to confuse and threaten the Congress High Command which has almost decided in favour of formation of Telangana State. He said that the recent visits of Seemandhra leaders to the national capital were aimed at blocking the announcement of Telangana which might come anytime.

Gutta also slammed Vijayawada MP Lagadapati Rajagopal for meeting AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh. He said by issuing veiled and open threats, he was trying to blackmail the party. He said that Lagadapati was a businessman and not a political leader. Therefore, his retirement from politics would not affect the Congress party in any way.

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Digvijay Singh submitted the report during his half-an-hour long meeting with the Congress chief on Saturday morning. According to sources, the report contains the overview of opinions expressed by leaders of different regions with regard to Telangana issue. Further, it Digvijay has reportedly made his own observations on the Pro’s and Con’s of granting statehood for the region.

The AICC incharge has explained in detail the latest political situation in Andhra Pradesh. He also made a special mention on impact of exit of senior leader K Keshava Rao and two Lok Sabha MPs – G Vivek and Manda Jagannatham from the party to join the TRS. A note was also included about the Telangnana Sadhana Sabha held on June 30 at Nizam College Grounds.

According to sources, Digvijay Singh’s report also contained a list of leaders, from both Telangana and Seemandhra regions, who might quit the party and its likely impact if the Congress High Command decides in favour or against the formation of Telangana.

Based on Digvijay Singh’s report, the Congress Core Committee is likely to take a final decision on Telangana issue during its next meeting to be held next Friday.

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