After triggering a row over the formation of a separate Telangana state, the Congress leadership has adopted a “go slow” approach to defuse the political tension that threatens to split the party in Andhra Pradesh. Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, however, have ruled out imposition of President’s Rule in the state and dismissing its own government.
While the K Rosaiah government today adjourned the AP Assembly sine die, a series of meetings between anti-Telangana leaders and top central leaders of the Congress party continued in Delhi. At least two meetings were held between Mukherjee and MPs (along with ministers) from Andhra Pradesh where the Centre reiterated that it was not doing anything in haste and asked the leaders to pursue their loyal MLAs withdraw their resignation.
The Centre, however, is not taking seriously the threat by 20 Congress ministers of the Rosaiah Cabinet to resign. “Where did they resign? It is also important to see where they have sent their resignation letters? It is just a threat and we will be able to diffuse the tension.”
Meanwhile, Congress MP from Vijaywada, Lagadapati Rajagopal, who resigned last week against the Centre’s move to create Telangana, was taken into preventive custody as soon as he arrived in Hyderabad today. Later when he was released, Rajagopal started his hunger strike.
As more than 100 MLAs resigned during the last few days, the central leadership of the Congress advised the AP chief minister to adjourn the Assembly session sine die. This, according to the Congress managers, will give more space to the party to diffuse tension without facing embarrassing situations in the Assembly where the party has come back to power for the second consecutive term just six months ago.
The Congress brass is trying to appease the agitating section pointing out that the Centre would not do anything further if there is no resolution from the state assembly (which is almost impossible to come in the current situation). During his meeting with anti-Telangana MPs, Mukherjee said the Telangana issue could not be discussed in the Lok Sabha unless the AP Assembly passed a resolution favouring a separate state.
The MPs also sought a clarification from the Centre that issued a statement last week announcing it would initiate the process to create Telangana. “We want a clarification as early as possible to prevent division among people of different regions in the state,” K S Rao, MP from Andhra Pradesh, told reporters.
Meanwhile, the pro-Telangana lobby has also started active campaigning. State ministers and MPs from the Telangana region today thanked Congress President Sonia Gandhi for her “historic decision” on Telangana.
In a letter signed by MPs and state ministers of that region, it was said, “On behalf of the people of Telangana, we assure you Madam, our unstinted support to the Congress and to your leadership for this historic decision”. The MPs included Ponnam Prabhakar, M Jagannadh, G Sukhender Reddy, Ghanta Vivek, Nandi Yellaiah among others.
