Hyderabad, August 02: Senior Congress leader K Keshava Rao on Sunday stated that a delegation of the Telangana leaders would meet All India Congress Committee president Sonia Gandhi and explain the reasons for poor performance of party in the recent by-elections held for 12 seats in the Telangana region.
Talking to reporters before leaving for New Delhi at his residence, Mr Keshav Rao said the delegation would meet Ms Gandhi on Monday or Tuesday and tell her that the primary reason for the party’s defeat was the strong Telangana sentiment in the region.
Mr Keshava Rao said that people have given a clear verdict in the by-elections over the formation of separate statehood issue. “The verdict is an eye opener for all parties and I have not seen this type of verdict in my political career so far,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the Centre would respect the sentiments of Telangana people and take steps favourably over the Telangana issue.
“The Congress is committed to carving out separate state for Telangana people. Following the assurance given by the High Command, the Congress MLAs from Telangana did not submit their resignations to their posts,” he stated.
“The High Command has directed the state leaders not to make any comments on the Telangana as the statehood issue is sensitive and could rouse strong passions among the people,” he pointed out.
The senior leaders pointed out that even Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy and Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema leaders have never opposed to the formation of separate state.
Peddapalli MP Vivek and Warangal MLA Basavraj Saraiah were also present at the press conference.
——INN