Congress plays down Rayala-Telangana issue

Congress appeared to play down suggestions that GoM set up to look into bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh could favour inclusion of two districts of Rayalseema in Telangana.

New Delhi: Congress on Monday appeared to play down suggestions that the GoM set up to look into bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh could favour inclusion of two districts of Rayalseema in Telangana saying "Telangana remains Telangana" even if the two districts are included.

Party general secretary in-charge for Andhra Pradesh Digvijay Singh at the same time made it clear that he was "not aware" what is the GoM`s report. "Telangana remains Telangana. Even if they (the two districts) are inlcuded, it remains Telangana," Singh said when asked whether the inclusion of the two districts of Rayalseema -- Kurnool and Anantapur--will not amount to make the new state Rayala Telangana whereas the resolution of the Congress Working Committee was for creation of Telangana. He said "I am not aware what the GoM report is. Let it come in public domain...The GoM has gone into details. Let us wait for its recommendation". The GoM, set up to look into the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, is all set to recommend a special status to both the states under Article 371-D of the Constitution and examining a proposal to include two districts of Rayalseema in Telangana. The proposal to reconstruct the boundaries of Telangana and include Kurnool and Anantapur districts as part of Telangana is believed to have been examined by the GoM. If Kurnool and Anantapur are added to Telangana state, it will make the bifurcation equal in terms of Lok Sabha and assembly seats for both Telangana and Seemandhra with each having 21 Lok Sabha and 147 assembly seats each. At present, Seemandhra region of the state has 153 MLAs as against 119 from Telangana. Congress is keen that the state assembly clears the draft bill for Telangana. Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy has many times voiced his reservations against the Telangana decision.