Decision on Telangana in August, says Congress

The Congress on Saturday indicated it would soon decide whether to form a separate Telangana state or keep Andhra Pradesh united. A senior party leader said a decision on the issue could be taken before the monsoon session, expected to be convened in the later part of August.

Another leader said consultations on the issue were almost over, and the leadership would take another two-three meetings to tie up the loose ends. However, he was tight-lipped on whether the leadership favours a separate Telangana state or a united Andhra Pradesh. “Common sense suggests that the decision should be taken before the monsoon session,” said the leader. If the party decides in favour of a separate state, a bill to that effect will have to be introduced in Parliament.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Saturday attended a meeting with Digvijay Singh, AICC general secretary in charge of party affairs in the state.

His meeting came a day after the Congress core group heard the views of top AP leaders, including the chief minister, deputy chief minister and PCC chief, and decided to take the matter to the Congress Working Committee, the party’s highest decision-making body.