Andhra ministers opposed Telangana in cabinet

Congress ministers from the Seemandhra region in Andhra Pradesh opposed the creation of Telangana in the cabinet meeting which cleared the proposal Thursday, informed sources said.

According to the sources, Textiles Minister K.S. Rao and Human Resource Development Minister M.M. Pallam Raju strongly opposed the move to create a separate Telangana by bifurcating Andhra Pradesh even as the cabinet headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh discussed the issue.

Congress sources indicated the two could resign to address their constituencies.

During his 30 minute speech, Rao said that the issue was not discussed with the leaders of the Seemandhra region. He added that were lot of problems in dividing the state while mentioning the large scale agitations that have been disturbing the area since the Congress Working Committee took the decision in July.

Raju spoke for abount 10 minutes as most of the issues had been covered by Rao, said the sources.

While Rao appeared to be "upset" over the issue, Raju sounded "unhappy", said the sources.

According to the sources, the two ministers finally supported the cabinet decision but made sure their view was put across in detail.

However, Science and Technology Minister S. Jaipal Reddy, who is from the Telangana region, spoke in favour of the decision.