Pranab summons Cong MPs to Delhi before all party conclave

Two days ahead of the all-party meeting convened by Union Home Minister P Chidambaram to discuss the Justice B N Srikrishna Commission report on January 6 in New Delhi, Congress Core Committee member and Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday called up Pradesh Congress Committee president D Srinivas and directed him to invite all MPs to be present in the National Capital by January 5.

The invitation by Mr Mukherjee to Congress MPs to be present assumes importance speculation is rife that the impact of Srikrishna Commission Report will discussed before it is disclosed to representatives of all parties.

According to highly placed sources, Mr Mukherjee has directed PCC chief to inform all MPs to attend the meeting ‘without fail’ on January 5 by 3 pm.

Analysts are of the view that the High Command has called for the meeting only to restrict MPs from making any statements before the media on Telangana issue.

It may be recalled that the High Command had issued directions to all Congress leader not to speak on Telangana issue. However, the MPs and other leaders had violated the diktat of the High Command and convened a meeting last Sunday at MP G Vivek’s house.

In the meeting, Congress Working Committee member and Rajya Sabha MP K Kesava Rao even threatened to resign from his post in event of SKC report goes against the Telangana statehood demand.

Meanwhile, senior Telangana leaders and MLCs Yadav Reddy and KR Amos stated that the Congress leaders take prior appointment and meet Mr Mukherjee to discuss modalities on SKC report.