Defence Minister A.K. Antony was trying to persuade Congress MPs from Rayalaseema and Andhra regions who protested outside parliament demanding withdrawal of decision to create Telangana by bifurcating Andhra Pradesh, the party said Monday.
"We are talking to them. We are trying to persuade them. Antony has spoken to them," Congress spokesperson Meem Afzal told reporters.
Apart from Congress, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MPs from Seemandhra - as the other two regions - Rayalseema and coastal Andhra - of the state are collectively known, have been protesting against the Congress decision to carve out Telangana from Andhra Pradesh.
The Seemandhra MPs protested inside the house also.
Afzal said there was no need to take action against the MPs as the party was trying the method of persuasion.
"They are reflecting the regional feelings," he said.
The decision has fuelled demands for statehood from some other regions. MPs from Bodo region of Assam also held protests demanding creation of a new state by bifurcating Assam.
A delegation of Bodo leaders last week met Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and urged him to take steps for the creation of a new state by bifurcating Assam.
--Indo-Asian news Service
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