Congress reaches out to TRS, reminds of merger promise

Making overtures to the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) following its decision favouring statehood to Telangana, the Congress Tuesday reminded it of its promise of a merger if the demand for a separate state was conceded.

Replying to queries from media persons after announcing the decision on Telangana, party general secretary Digvijaya Singh recalled that TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao had earlier said he would merge his party with the Congress if Telangana was given.

"TRS chief had earlier said that if Telangana is given, he will merge his party with the Congress. We will wait for his decision. We are favourably inclined to discuss the issue (merger) with him," said Digvijaya Singh, who is the party in-charge of Andhra Pradesh.

TRS has spearheaded the agitation to form a separate state of Telangana from Andhra Pradesh for the past several years.

Replying to a query about the Congress trying to cut its political losses in Andhra Pradesh following its decision to recommend statehood to Telangana, Digvijaya Singh said: "The decision has not been taken for any political expediency."