New Delhi: Consultation process on the
Telangana statehood issue gained momentum with Congress
general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday meeting a delegation
of leaders from the region amid his intention to complete
discussions within the party in the next two months.
The delegation consisting of Ministers, MP and MLAs
from Telangana met Azad here for the second time in three days
and gave a powerpoint presentation on certain issues related
to the statehood demand.
While Pedapalli MP G Vivekanand made a presentation on
Hyderabad, the most contentious issue, IT Minister Ponnala
Laxmaiah gave a presentation on irrigation and agriculture
issues.
"Both the leaders emphasised reasons why a separate
state of Telangana should be formed. Vivekanand explained the
reasons why Hyderabad should be part of the Telangana state,"
sources said.
Giving a patient hearing to the delegation, Azad told
them that he would get back to them after discussions with
leaders from two other regions of the state -- coastal Andhra
and Rayalaseema.
Azad, who is the in-charge of party affairs in the
state, intends to speed up the consultation process within the
Congress and complete it in the next two months.
Ever since Telangana lawmakers put in their papers on
July 4, Azad has been meeting leaders of all three regions of
the state separately. He has been counselling patience and
asking them to wait till the party and the Centre takes a
decision on the issue.
The Health Minister will also receive a delegation
from the coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions tomorrow and
will hold discussions with them.
Congress leaders in Andhra Pradesh are deeply divided
on regional lines and the party has not been in a position to
come out with a stand on the issue.
PTI
