Botsa to act as bridge on T-issue

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana on Wednesday said that the Centre is exploring all ‘scientific parameters’ to find a solution to the contentious separate statehood issue. Talking to media persons at the Gandhi Bhavan after paying rich tributes to former Deputy Prime Minister Babu Jagjivan Ram on his 24th death anniversary, Mr Satyanarayana said that the Centre was holding discussion with party leaders as part of its attempts to find a solution acceptable to all on the separate Telangana statehood demand.

“The government will continue as per the wishes of the people,” Mr Satyanarayana said, adding “the Centre is holding discussions will all leaders on the issue.” Blaming the main opposition Telugu Desam Party for the Telangana imbroglio Mr Satyanarayana said that he would hold discussions with leaders of all the three regions of the state and then brief the High Command about their vies.

“The problem touched a ‘nadir’ after the TDP took a U-turn on the Justice Srikrishna Committee recommendations and boycotted the all-party meeting. Now it is up to us to find a solution to the issue. I will try to elicit the opinion of all the leaders and forward it to the High Command so that an amicable solution could be found,” the PCC chief said.

He called upon party leaders to observe restraint and not to make statements disturbing the party and provoking the people over the volatile situation in the state. “We need their (the leaders’) cooperation so that the Centre can continue its attempts to find a solution to the controversial statehood issue,” the PCC chief said.

He further asked the Ministers and elected representatives to continue in their posts until the High Command finds a solution acceptable to all. Mr Satyanarayana appealed to media to play constructive role in finding a solution to statehood issue.

He also revealed that he has directed the PCC Office Bearers to ensure that the birth anniversary of former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, on July 8, be celebrated in a grand manner. He directed the DCCs to conduct blood donation camps and feeding programmes for the poor to mark the occasion.

As part of YSR’s birth anniversary, in the state capital, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and the PCC chief would garland his statue at Punjagutta and pay rich floral tributes. YSR birth anniversary will be celebrated at Gandhi Bhavan also.