Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi: In an important step forward on the issue of Telangana, Congress’ state in-charge Ghulam Nabi Azad, Friday, submitted his report on the statehood demand to party chief and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
The Azad report -prepared after holding discussions with various stakeholders - is important as it may help the Congress decide on its stand on the issue. It is pertinent to note that Justice Sri Krishna Committee on Telangana had submitted a report in December last year but it had failed to bring a consensus on the issue.
The Congress’ dilemma became evident today when Home Minister P Chidambaram said that the party is yet to make up its mind on the issue. Several Telangana leaders, including some of the ministers, are currently camping in the national capital awaiting the submission of the report and a preview of the contents.
Meanwhile, TRS MLA and party president K Chandrasekhara Rao's son KT Rama Rao said a delegation including the TRS president, would go to Delhi this evening to meet the Centre leadership for urging them to take an early decision on separate Telangana demand.
As per reports, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee will brief Sonia Gandhi on the Telangana
Meanwhile, normal life was badly affected as the day-long Hyderabad bandh called by the Telangana Political Joint Action Committee (JAC) as part of the ongoing agitation for a separate state, began on Friday.
Shops, business establishments were closed at many places in the city. Schools and other education institutions have already declared holidays for the Dusshera festival.
With pro-Telangana employees of Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) already participating in the 'SAKALA JANULA SAMME' (strike by all sections of people), RTC buses remained off the roads.
Police have made elaborate security arrangements in view of the shut down and bandh has been peaceful as of now.
First Published: Friday, September 30, 2011, 09:58