Next step on Telangana issue after resolution in assembly: Congress

New Delhi, December 15: Formation of a separate Telangana could take a while with Congress today making it clear that any forward movement on it was possible only after the state assembly passes a resolution for it.

At the same time, the AICC also made it clear that it was not averse to the formation of a second State Reorganization Commission if there was a consensus on the issue.

“The Central government will take the next step only after the state assembly passes the resolution for Telangana and then Congress will support it,” Party spokesperson Shakeel Ahmad told reporters here.

Congress’ statement comes close on the heels of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly being adjourned sine die as the deadlock over resignations of MLAs from Andhra and Rayalseema regions continued.

The Assembly was originally scheduled to hold the winter session till December 23. However, with more than 130 MLAs of Andhra and Ralayasemma Region submitting their resignations and with the remaining members disrupting the proceedings, government chose to bring the session to an end.

Ahmad said the party “stands by” the Centre’s decision on Telangana and noted it was made when the situation was “alarming” with TRS leader K Chandrasekhar Rao’s fast entering 11th day and students in Andhra Pradesh joining the agitation.

However, he admitted that there were two views in the state unit of the party for and against Telangana.

Ahmad also attacked Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati, without naming her, for writing letters to prime minister Manmohan Singh seeking creation of three new states saying she is doing it to divert people’s attention from her failure in administration.

“We know one chief minister wrote two letters in three days for creation of three states. This indicates you are doing it to divert people’s attention from your failure in administration,” Ahmad said.

The spokesman added, Congress is not against the formation of small states but it should be done only if it is necessary to develop the regions which have lagged behind in development parameters.

“If there are genuine concerns, party is not against smaller states. But it should not be done simply to fulfill political aspirations or in competition with some other new state being formed,” Ahmad added.

The Congress leader at the same time dismissed suggestions that party MLAs and MPs resigning against the formation of Telangana is any indication of their rebellion against the party saying,” MP, MLAs in Andhra Pradesh, who are resigning are not against the party but against bifurcation. They are not rebelling against the party.”

Ahmad also dismissed suggestions that the government did not take the party into consideration before making the announcement on Telangana saying, “the party supported the statement and still supports that…”

–PTI–