High command's decision on Telangana binding on leaders: Cong

Congress leaders from Telangana and non-Telangana regions can express their views on the separate statehood issue but they have to abide by the decision of the party high command, Andhra Pradesh Congress president B Satyanarayana said here today.

He was replying to a query on Congress leaders from Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra planning to organise a public meeting soon in support of the cause of united Andhra Pradesh.

Congress Core Group had recently discussed the Telangana issue and said Congress Working Committee would take a final call on the matter.

"Though the ongoing Gram Panchayat election process in the state is being held without the involvement of political parties, the sympathisers of Congress have won the highest number of unanimously elected panchayats," Satyanarayana said, citing a data compiled by his party, showing the number of seats won by the major parties.

Of the 21,592 gram panchayats in state, 21,491 are going to polls in three phases beginning tomorrow and on July 27 and July 31.

Asked about the reported move by TDP to get its candidate elected without contest in the Avanigadda Assembly bypoll in Krishna district, scheduled to be held next month, the Congress president said the party would consider the matter after receiving any such proposal.

The by-election is necessitated due to the death of sitting TDP MLA.