Centre may make statement on Telangana next week: Purandeswari

Centre might come out with a clear statement on the issue of a unified Andhra Pradesh on Monday or Tuesday, Union Minister for State D Purandeswari today said.

"Home Minister P Chidambaram's statement on initiating the process for Telangana was not for the division of the state. It was only intended to elicit views from all concerned on the statehood demand and also ease the situation arising out of TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao’s indefinite fast," she told reporters here.

Purandeswari, who represents Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha seat, visited a relay hunger-strike camp near the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation and expressed solidarity with those observing fast in favour of a unified state.

She pointed out that there was no consensus on the creation of Telangana state.

"Even in Parliament, parties like RJD and SP have totally opposed Telangana. The Pranab Mukherjee Committee appointed during the previous UPA government's tenure could not achieve consensus on the statehood issue," she said.

Replying to a question, Purandeswari said they were "working behind the scenes" to see that the state did not get divided.

"We (leaders from Andhra Pradesh) are doing our bit from behind the scenes for a unified state," she remarked.

Asked if she would resign from her post, the Union Minister said resignation would deprive her of an opportunity to raise the demand for a unified state effectively with the Congress high command.