Congress core committee may take Telangana decision on July 12

A decision on Telangana issue is likely at the July 12 meeting of Congress core committee, hinted party general secretary Digvijaya Singh.

He told reporters in the national capital Tuesday that the decision would be based on the reports to be submitted by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha and state Congress chief Botsa Satyanarayana.

During his visit to the state last week, Digvijaya Singh had asked the three leaders to submit roadmap on the strategy to be adopted by the party and the government if the decision is taken either way.

The central leader said he had no personal view on the issue as his job was only to implement a decision.

Botsa Satyanarayana told reports after prayers in Tirupati temple that he prayed to the god for keeping the state united. He, however, said he would abide by the decision of the party leadership.

Protests continued in Rayalaseema and Andhra regions over the possible decision to bifurcate the state. Samaikhya Andhra Joint Action Committee took out rallies in Anantapur, Nellore and Visakhapatnam.

State minister G. Srinivasa Rao, who hails from Andhra region, said all possible efforts would be made to ensure that the state remain united. He said public meetings would be held at Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Anantapur and Hyderabad between July 12 and 15 to oppose the state's division.

Meanwhile, several Congress leaders from Telangana exuded confidence that the party would take a decision to carve out separate Telangana state.

Former state party chief D. Srinivas said he had firm belief that the party would take a decision to respect the sentiments of the people of the region.