Seemandhra will get best possible deal, says Digvijaya

Congress general secretary appeals to party MPs from Seemandhra to reconsider resignation

Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh on Monday assured Seemandhra people they would get best possible deal after bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

He appealed to party MPs from Seemandhra - the Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra regions - to reconsider their decision to resign and reminded them their commitment to party leadership to abide by the party decision.

"Now that high command has taken a decision, they should not go back on their word. I know they are facing a tough situation but we all should work together to work out a solution," he said.

Digvijaya Singh, in charge of the party affairs in Andhra Pradesh, was talking to reporters in the national capital.

"It is the responsibility of Congress party, including MPs, ministers and the chief minister, to find a solution so that best possible deal is given to Seemandhra, to Telangana and to people of Hyderabad," he said and advised all concerned to send their suggestions to group of ministers.

The Congress leader was reacting to reports that some Congress MPs from Seemandhra had decided to submit their resignations again to protest the Centre's decision to carve out a Telangana state.

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar last week rejected the resignations of 13 Seemandhra MPs, including 10 of the Congress party.

Digvijaya Singh said he would talk to Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on his statement about Telangana resolution. When asked about the contradictory statements over the issue, he said under the schedule given by the home ministry earlier, the resolution would be sent to the state assembly.

Union Minister of State for Petroleum Pannabaka Lakshmi said though she was personally against the state's division, she would abide by the party's decision. She also made it clear if the party issues a whip to vote for the Telangana bill when it is brought before parliament, she would abide by the party's direction.

She said on Saturday the state's division had become inevitable.