Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on Tuesday rubbished media reports that the Centre has deployed more forces in Andhra Pradesh ahead of a crucial decision on granting separate statehood to Telangana.
"We have not sent any forces. Why are you asking this? There is no security arrangement as such. Why one should have to do security (arrangements)?" Shinde told mediapersons here.
"It's an issue that was pending for many years. From 1956, the issue was pending. The (Congress) Working Committee may take decision, may not take decision. Where does the question comes of security?" he asked.
According to certain media reports, tight security arrangements have been put in place as the Central Government is likely to announce creation of a separate Telangana state today.
The Congress Working Committee is set to meet this evening where the proposal for a separate Telangana state is likely to be discussed.
The Congress Working Committee is likely to pass a resolution, which may endorse creating a separate state of Telangana.
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As the UPA Government is to take a final call this evening on the demand for a separate state of Telangana. Hectic political parleys have been underway in the national capital for the last few days.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi today met Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at his residence after she held a meeting with senior party leaders, including Sushil Kumar Shinde, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Digvijay Singh and Ahmed Patel.
Congress leaders from Andhra Pradesh, who are against the bifurcation of the state, earlier met Digvijay Singh, who is the in-charge of party's affairs in Andhra Pradesh.
Union Human Resource and Development (HRD) Minister M.M. Pallam Raju, who hails from Andhra Pradesh, said leaders like him are worried about 'long-term implications' of today's decision.
"I think the core committee has discussed the matter at length and we are all worried about it that whatever decision that they may make is going to have a long term implication in Andhra Pradesh and we are worried about that and that's exactly what we have come to express our apprehension to the general secretary," he told mediapersons after meeting Digvijay Singh.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy has also arrived in the national capital and is expected to meet the Prime Minister at around 4 pm. He will also meet party leaders in the capital.
Several Congress leaders are also meeting Sonia Gandhi at her official 10, Janpath residence here.
