Decision likely on Telangana today

UPA, CWC to mull merging of districts

A final decision on creating Telangana, possibly India’s 29th state, is set to be taken on Tuesday at a meeting of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) leaders and the top decision-making body of the Congress.

The meeting will discuss carving out a separate Telangana state from Andhra Pradesh and the option of merging two Rayalaseema districts—Anantpur and Kurnool—into Telangana.

A meeting of the UPA coordination committee is scheduled for Tuesday at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s official residence, where the Congress is expected to seek endorsement of the allies on carving out Telangana. This will be immediately followed by a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC).

In Hyderabad, sources said the Congress had agreed to a separate Telangana state without the two Rayalaseema districts. “The opposition to the concept of Rayala-Telangana from both regions, announcement of the Bharatiya Janata Party that it would oppose any such move in Parliament and possible opposition from the UPA partners have forced the Congress to take a decision in favour of a Telangana without the two Rayalaseema districts,” sources said.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, his deputy C Damodar Rajanarsimha and PCC chief Botsa Satyanarayana have been asked to be present in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Reddy had reportedly said it would be difficult for him to preside over the division of Andhra Pradesh and indicated that he would resign. If such a situation arises, the Congress has two options, either ask the deputy chief minister to take over or impose President’s rule.

A senior Congress leader, who attends the CWC meetings, admitted that the decision on Telangana was a “political compulsion” for the party. “Why not give Telangana and take credit for it? Tomorrow L K Advani or Narendra Modi will give it,” he argued.

AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh, in charge of party affairs in Andhra Pradesh, said the widest possible consultations were held on the issue and a final decision would be announced tomorrow (Tuesday). Another leader said Telangana “fulfills the criteria for a separate state as there was a popular demand and the region could sustain itself.”

Hyderabad is expected to be made a joint capital for a period of five to 10 years. Later,  Andhra Pradesh may develop a new capital for itself.

However, the idea of a common capital with Union Territory status has been opposed by ministers from the region.

Andhra Pradesh ministers Danam Nagendar and Mukhesh Goud from Hyderabad said their role as the people’s representative would become zero if the city is declared a Union Territory as law and order and city development would become the Centre’s responsibility.

The duo also held discussions with All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi.