The leaders from Telangana region are all set to raise the statehood issue during the Congress convention being held at LB Stadium on Sunday.
Source say that despite strict instructions from Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanaraya, several Telangana leaders have decided to raise the statehood issue during the convention. The issue was also discussed in depth when the Telangana leader including ministers, MLAs and MLCs met the PCC president at Gandhi Bhavan on Saturday morning. Party MLC Janardhan Reddy reportedly told the PCC chief that they won’t be able to face the people if they fail to raise the Telangana issue during the convention.
The Telangana ministers, especially Panchayat Raj Minister K Jana Reddy, insisted that the convention pass a resolution for formation of Telangana State. However, the idea was outrightly rejected and Botsa directed the leader that they restrain from raising the issue as it might hurt the sentiments of activists from other regions.
Later in the evening, the PCC chief is learnt to have agreed to allow one leader from Telangana to speak about the statehood issue. Union Health Minister and incharge of AP’s Congress affairs Ghulam Nabi Azad has reportedly given the nod to allow a speech on Telangana. However, the Telangana leaders have been asked to mention that issue was being resolved by the Centre and an-all party meeting has been convened in New Delhi on December 28.
–Agencies