Congress panel to hear Telangana concerns

Concerned over protests from Seemandhra region party leaders against creation of Telangana, the Congress Wednesday formed a panel to hear their grievances.

The Congress and the United Progressive Alliance had July 30 endorsed creation of the new state.

Defence Minister A.K. Antony would head the four-member panel that would also have Petroleum Minister M. Veerappa Moily, Sonia Gandhi's political secretary Ahmed Patel and state-in-charge Digvijaya Singh.

According to a party statement: "The panel will hear the concerns arising out of decision to form a new state of Telangana."

Seemandhra MPs have been protesting against the decision to form the new state since the monsoon session of parliament opened Monday.

Earlier seven MPs from the region had threatened to resign.