Centre's stand on Telangana unchanged: Moily

Other parties made U-turn, says Law minister

Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily said the Centre had not diluted its stand on Telangana, but political parties in Andhra Pradesh had made a U-turn even after promising to support the creation of a new state.

Moily, who is also in-charge of the Congress’ affairs in Andhra Pradesh, made the remark after 13 pro-Telangana ministers of the State Government faxed their resignations to party president Sonia Gandhi. “At an all-party meeting convened by Chief Minister K Rosaiah on December 7 last, other political parties agreed to support a resolution (to create Telangana) in the State Assembly. But they later made a U-turn,” said Moily.

“Ours is not a monarchy. We have to set in the democratic process, and that is possible only through consultations, and the Government of India is always willing to be a facilitator,” the Law minister added.

The ministers, including Home Minister P Sabita Indra Reddy, called on Chief Minister K Rosaiah on Friday and announced their resignation, demanding the Centre’s commitment. Information Minister Geeta Reddy said the Centre’s statement on December 23 was not clear, and that the government must give a clear timeframe for completing the consultations and initiating the process of state formation.

Two ministers from Hyderabad, who wanted to see the city get the Union Territory status, were reluctant to resign. But they too resigned on Friday. Mobs attacked the residence of Irrigation Minister P Lakshmaiah in Warangal city and set ablaze a car belonging to Higher Education Minister Sridhar Babu.

Meanwhile protests continued across the Telangana region on Friday. Although the 48-hour bundh call given by the TRS was withdrawn for Friday in view of Christmas, demonstrations, rallies and dharnas were held in the region.