Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran Lal Krishna Advani on Tuesday played safe on whether the creation of a separate Telangana state would help the Congress Party in the upcoming general elections, saying it is all about respecting the people's wishes.
"It's not a question of benefiting. It's a question of respecting the wishes of the people. Political pluses and minuses are always there," Advani told media here.
"So far as we are concerned, our party is concerned, if Telangana was not formed when we formed three new states it was only because of our respecting one of our coalition partners views otherwise we would have done it even then," he added.
The Congress Party earlier in the day cleared the formation of Telangana with Hyderabad as joint capital for 10 years.
Congress General Secretary and Andhra Pradesh in-charge Digvijay Singh after the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting told the media here that the decision for a separate Telangana state has been made keeping in mind a long standing demand of the people of the region.
He also made it clear that it is not a poll-gimmick.
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"I have told you earlier also that it has no relationship with the polls. Political expediency cannot be a reason for such a far-reaching decision," he told the media here.
Singh said the formation of Telangana cannot be compared to demand from states.
"Telangana's case can't be compared to other states because it has a long history and it was mentioned in the first states re-organisation commission," said Singh.
"If you see historically, the issue of Telangana has always been a very important one," he added.
Singh said Telangana will have 10 districts.
"At the moment, the decision is for the 10 districts of Telangana. But as and when the Group of Ministers are considering that and if there are any other areas which have put in a demand then the Group of Ministers can look at it," he said.
Singh said there is adequate arrangement in Hyderabad for both states to run their affairs for next 10 years.
He further said that all problems of Seemandhra will be kept in mind when we draft the legislation.
AICC General Secretary and in-charge of Communications Department Ajay Maken briefed the media about the resolution that was passed in the Congress Working Committee meeting presided by Congress President Sonia Gandhi and attended by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and party's vice-president Rahul Gandhi among others.
"It is resolved to request the Central Government to take steps in accordance with the Constitution of India: to form a separate state of Telangana to establish simultaneously and within a definite time frame institute mechanism to address the concerns of the people of the regions of Andhra, Rayalseema on matters relating to but not limited to sharing of river waters, generation and distribution of electricity, safety and security of all residents in all the three regions and the guarantee of the fundamental rights of all residents; to declare that Hyderabad will be the common capital of both states for a period of 10 years after the formation of the state of Telangana and to put in place legal and administrative measures to ensure that both state governments can function efficiently from the common capital during the said period of 10 years; to assist in the building of a new capital for the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh within a period of 10 years; to declare the Polavaram irrigation project as a national project and to provide adequate funds to complete the same; to identify the special needs of the backward regions and districts of Andhra Pradesh to provide adequate funds for the development of those areas; and to assist the Government of Andhra Pradesh. And after the formation of a state of Telangana, assist both the state governments to maintain law and order and ensure peace and harmony in all the regions and districts;" he said, while reading out the operative part of the resolution.
"The Congress Working Committee acknowledges that the decision to form a separate state of Telangana has not been an easy decision. The decision taken today has been taken after the widest possible consultations and after taking into account the history of the demand for a separate state of Telangana since 1956. The Congress Working Committee appeals to all Congress men and women as well as to all the Telugu speaking people and the residents of Andhra Pradesh to extend their fullest cooperation so that this resolution can be implemented in letter and spirit and in a manner that ensures peace and goodwill and progress and prosperity among all the sections of people of both states," he added.
The Union Cabinet is likely to meet on Thursday to take a final call on Telangana formation.