'T' decision after by-polls, says Rajagopal

Vijayawada MP Lagadapati Rajagopal on Friday expressed confidence that the Centre would come out with a decision on Telangana statehood issue by August this year.

Talking to media persons, he said that the Congress party would take a decision on the statehood issue after the completion of by-elections to 18 Assembly segments. If the by-election results come in favour of the Congress, he hoped that the High Command would announce its decision on Telangana by August-end.

Stating that the Congress alone could not be held responsible for the delay in announcement of decision on Telangana, the MP blamed other parties for not making their stand clear on the issue. He said that Bharatiya Janata Party won from Mahbubnagar Assembly segment in the Telangana region in the recent by-elections as it had a secret pact with the Telangana Rashtra Samithi. 

Rajagopal said that he would launch Padayatra in May to ensure party's victory in the by-elections.