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Seemandhra ministers threaten to quit

Last Updated 24 July 2013, 21:40 IST

 Ministers belonging to the coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions on Wednesday served an ultimatum on the Congress high command that they would resign from the party posts immediately if the Congress working committee (CWC) announced its decision in favour of a separate state.

Eighteen ministers of the Kiran Kumar Reddy cabinet met on Wednesday and chalked out a programme to draw the party high command’s attention, which seems to be tilted in favour of a separate Telangana.

Speaking to mediapersons, minister Sailajanath said they have decided to communicate their concerns before the top brass in Delhi on Friday. “Even though we are loyal soldiers of the party and will abide by the party’s decision, we are pained to note the indifferent attitude of the party high command towards the concerns of Seemandhra leaders,” he said. The ministers also met the chief minister at his camp office and explained their stand.

Their meeting with the chief minister has created a flutter in the political circles. “There is news that the pro-united stance taken by Kirankumar Reddy has rattled the high command and a new face from Telangana is expected to take over to oversee the transition,” a senior Congress leader from coastal Andhra said. S Sudhakar Reddy, CPI general secretary, said the Centre should consult stakeholders before announcing a decision on Telangana. The CPI leader said it was necessary that the government should consult all political parties who supported a separate Telangana state and the JAC, which is spearheading the agitation In a two-page letter to the prime minister, the CPI general secretary said since 1955, all agreements and assurances on Telangana signed by the Congress leaders of the Andhra, Rayalaseema and Telangana regions were not honoured. Hence, there should be a meeting of all parties from the Andhra and Rayalaseema regions separately to discuss the issue of a new capital, distribution of assets and liabilities etc. The CPI also wanted Hyderabad as the capital of Telangana. It also said Hyderabad’s status should not be diluted as a centrally-administered city like Chandigarh.

 Reddy also said the proposal for a Rayala-Telangana region was not feasible. Dividing Rayalaseema into two states was not correct because of political, cultural and geographical reasons. He also urged the Centre not to postpone the Telangana statehood issue any further. Various student and youth organisations have decided to come together to fight for a separate Telangana state.

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(Published 24 July 2013, 21:40 IST)

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