Uncertainty likely to continue for 3-4 months: Congress MP

The uncertainty over the decision on the issue of separate statehood for Telangana post the Srikrishna Committee report is likely to continue for another 3-4 months, said Congress MP G Vivek here today. 

The industrialist-turned ruling party MP was addressing a round table meeting with industry associations and entrepreneurs from Andhra Pradesh who sought an early end to the present political turmoil, which was affecting the economy and business.

The meeting held by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) - Andhra Pradesh on Sunday saw people of both political and industry spectrum agreeing on one point — more than the agitations that occasionally disrupted the work and peace, it was the prolonged uncertainty on making a political decision that was causing greater harm to the industrial growth.

Recently, the Congress party’s core committee met in Delhi to take a view on the statehood issue but failed to make any headway. It only called for further consultations with warring party MPs from both the regions of the state.

The ruling party MP’s opinion seems to have strengthened the reports that the government wants a smooth conduct of official business during the Budget sessions of both Parliament and the state Assembly in Andhra Pradesh.

The industry representatives in the beginning wanted a declaration to be signed by the political leaders who attended the meeting seeking an assurance that they would not do anything that would cause inconvenience and hardships to the business.

K T Ramarao of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) suggested that they would be willing to sign the declaration of the CII if the Centre is ready to take an immediate decision on the Telangana issue.

“As long as the Centre fails to find a solution, the unrest is bound to continue. And the present situation is caused by the uncertainty arising out of the Government of India not acting on the Srikrishna Committee report or on our demand for a separate statehood,” Ramarao told the industrialists.

CPI state secretary K Narayana said it was not possible for any political party to give such assurances as the agitation has become a people’s movement.

However, all the leaders, including former industries minister and Praja Rajyam Party leader K Vidyadhara Rao and BJP legislator Kishan Reddy, said the economic growth in the state coming down to a mere 6 per cent in 2010 from over 10 per cent in the past was a cause for concern.