All parties supported Telangana, says Congress

Defending its move to create a Telangana state, the Congress Monday said all political parties except the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) have supported breaking up Andhra Pradesh.

"During the all-party meeting on Telangana, every party except the CPI-M supported the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh," said Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh, who is in charge of the party's affairs in the state.

His remark came shortly after TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu began a hunger strike here demanding that Andhra Pradesh should not be broken up.

Digvijaya Singh said he has a letter written by Naidu in support of Telangana.

Taking note of widespread violence and protests against the state's bifurcation, Digvijaya Singh sought to assure the people of Seemandhra (as the other two regions of Rayalseema and costal Andhra are collectively known), that issues like security, education and employment in Hyderabad would be taken care of.

"Assure all Seemandhra people of their genuine concern of security in H'bad Education, Health Employment and package for Development," he said in a Twitter post.