Cong Legislators explain reasons for resignations to Azad
The Congress High Command began the process of trying to convince its Legislators from Telangana to rethink on their decision to submit their resignations from their elected posts with party In-Charge of Andhra Pradesh Affairs Ghulam Nabi Azad meeting senior leaders from the region. Panchayat Raj Minister K Jana Reddy, IT Minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah and BC Welfare Minister Basavaraju Saraiah, besides MPs Madhu Yaskhi Goud and Ponnam Prabhakar called on Mr Azad here and explained to him the circumstances which forced them to tender their resignations from their elected posts. Mr Jana Reddy told media persons after the meeting that the Legislators had explained the circumstances which led to their resignations to Mr Azad. He added that the Congress leaders from Telangana would continue to discuss the separate statehood issue with the party High Command. “We will have another meeting with Mr Azad in the afternoon,” the Minister said, adding that they had briefed the High Command’s representatives about the situation in the region. According to sources, Mr Azad is believed to have repeated the Centre’s view that the issue is very sensitive and hence a hasty decision cannot be taken. “The High Command is seized of the matter and is making every effort to find a solution to the issue,” Mr Azad is said to have told the Congress Legislators. The Congress Legislators from Telangana had begun arriving in the National Capital from late on Monday night. Incidentally, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had stated on Monday that the Centre is yet to take a final decision on the separate Telangana demand. He had also hinted that the process of consultations would be expedited.
The Congress and TDP Legislators had submitted their resignations en masse on Monday while the Telangana Rashtra Samithi Legislators followed suit on Tuesday. More Legislators are expected to submit their resignations to mount pressure on the Centre to take an early decision on the separate statehood demand.