14 F deletion good sign, employees must withdraw strike: Botsa

Welcoming the Centre’s decision to delete the controversial Clause 14 F from the Presidential Orders of 1975 as a good sign, Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana on Wednesday appealed to employees to withdraw their strike notice after defer the separate statehood agitation in the interest of the people.

The PCC chief also thanked United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the decision, during his interaction with media persons at the Gandhi Bhavan on Wednesday.

Mr Satyanarayana stated that since the Centre has begun the consultation process with all political parties, the Telangana employees should withdraw the call of the general strike for August 17. “The employees should withdraw the strike notice and defer the agitation considering the interests of people,” he said.

The PCC chief also urged the employees to give more time to the state government to take decisions on their demands.

Responding to merger of Praja Rajyam Party with the Congress, Mr Satyanarayana said that, “technically the party has already merged with Congress a long ago. However, the PRP leaders will officially take membership of Congress party on August 22.”

He disclosed that Congress In-Charge of Andhra Pradesh Affairs Ghulam Nabi Azad and Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy would be personally present to witness the PRP members taking Congress membership at the Gandhi Bhavan.

The PCC chief also revealed that his visit to Godavari districts on August 21 and 22 has been rescheduled to August 27 and 28 due to the merger.

When asked to say if the Ministers’ hoisting the Tricolour on August 15 would amount to them attending their duties, Mr Satyanarayana asked the reporters not to link the issue of duties with the hoisting of the National Flag.

Responding to Telangana leaders raising objection over the inclusion Anakapalle MP Sabbam Hari in the delegation of Seemandhra leaders, the PCC chief said that the delegate’s list was yet to be finalised.

“I will respond to your question if Mr Sabbam Hari attends the Seemandhra leaders’ meeting with Ghulam Nabi Azad later on in the evening,” he stated.

Responding to the tenure of various committees in the state coming to an end, Mr Satyanarayana said the PCC would appoint candidates to all committees and the process had already began in this regard.

Responding to attending of Telangana Ministers for the Cabinet meeting on August 16, he said that, “Officially I have not received any communication in this regard from General Administration Department.”