Reddy meets PM, presses for Telangana state

Petroleum Minister and senior Congress leader from Andhra Pradesh Jaipal Reddy today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and is understood to have pressed for creation of separate state of Telangana.

Reddy met Singh in the morning and apprised him of the situation in Hyderabad and nine other districts in the Telangana region in the wake of the statehood demand coming to the centre stage yet again.

Sources said Reddy, who represents Chelvela Lok Sabha seat in Telangana, is believed to have conveyed to the Prime Minister the sentiments of the people of the region that carving out of a separate state appeared to be the only solution.

After the 40-minute meeting, Reddy said he gave complete details of the present situation in the region.

The meeting assumes significance as the lawmakers from the region who have resigned to press for the statehood demand have been keeping regular contact with him.

The Telangana statehood demand gained momentum this week after over 100 MLAs and 15 MPs, cutting across party lines, submitted their resignations to respective presiding officers.

They have also ruled out taking back their resignations unless the Centre takes a decision on the issue.