Hyderabad: An all-party meeting convened by
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah here tonight saw
almost all opposition parties asking the state government to
move a resolution in the assembly for creation of Telangana
state but ruling Congress did not spell out its stand.
The all-party meet ended much in the same way as the
Business Advisory Committee meeting of the state assembly a
few hours before with Congress remaining evasive on the
separate statehood demand.
Opposition parties expressed displeasure over the
government declining to spell out its stand.
"We expected the government would come up with a
solution to the issue following a directive from its high
command. But the Chief Minister merely said the Congress high
command wanted to elicit opinion of various parties on
Telangana issue and hence the meeting. We are utterly
disappointed," the opposition leaders said after the meeting.
Principal opposition Telugu Desam Party assured its
support for "any legislative process" on Telangana. "There is
no change in our stand," TDP legislature party deputy leader P
Ashoka Gajapathi Raju said after the all-party meeting.
Telangana Rashtra Samiti and Bharatiya Janata Party
demanded government move a resolution in the assembly seeking
grant of statehood for Telangana.
The Communist Party of India too favoured a resolution in
the assembly and a Bill in Parliament on creation of
Telangana and CPI(M) said it would not come in the way of a
separate Telangana.
BJP also promised to support a legislation in Parliament
on creation of Telangana state. "The combined strength of
Congress and BJP is sufficient to get the legislation
through," BJP floor leader G Kishan Reddy said.
Praja Rajyam Party took a similar stand while Majlis
Ittehadul-e-Muslimeen said it would spell out its decision at
an appropriate time after discussing the issue in the party.
Lok Satta Party said it would abide by Congress’ decision
on Telangana.
Earlier in the Congress Legislature Party meeting, two
ministers hailing from Hyderabad – Danam Nagender and Mukesh
Goud – were understood to have said people of Hyderabad were
in favour of granting union territory status to the city.
Former minister R Damodar Reddy said it was the right
time for taking a positive decision on creation of Telangana
state.
The Chief Minister reportedly told them that whatever be
the personal views, they should all abide by the decision of
the high command.
PTI
