Cong ministers, legislators to raise pitch for unified Andhra

The legislators reiterated their commitment towards a unified Andhra Pradesh as they discussed the political scenario in the light of reports from New Delhi that the Centre was about to announce its decision on creation of Telangana state.

"We are all strongly in favour of a unified state. We will go to New Delhi if required and stress this to our party high command," School Education Minister S Sailajanath told reporters after the meeting.

Earlier, Minor Irrigation Minister T G Venkatesh told media persons separately that they would settle for nothing less than a unified state.

"If division of state becomes inevitable, the Centre should make the position of Rayalaseema clear. The Justice Srikrishna Committee, constituted by the Centre to look into the statehood demand, clearly noted that Rayalaseema was more backward in terms of development," he pointed out.

Venkatesh said that ministers and legislators from the Rayalaseema region would go to New Delhi after their colleagues from Telangana complete their planned trip to the national capital.

"We will meet the Congress high command to explain our stand on the statehood issue," he added.