Seemandhra Congress legislators to meet on Jan 17

Primary Education Minister S Sailajanath on Tuesday informed that MLAs and MLCs of Congress party from the Rayalaseema and Andhra regions would meet on January 17 to discuss the Centre's possible decision on Telangana issue.

Talking to reporters in the Assembly premises, Sailajanath said that all pro-united Andhra Pradesh legislators would meet at Minister's Quarters on Thursday at 11 am to discuss the strategy to be adopted to keep Andhra Pradesh united. He said that the State should remain united for protection of identity and sentiments of Telugu people. He asked the Centre to reject the demand for formation of Telangana State.

Sailajanath also ridiculed the claims being made by some ministers stating that they got indications of formation of Telangana State. Citing sources, he claimed that the Centre was considering implementation of Srikrishna Committee's recommendations and it had no plans to bifurcate the State.

However, the minister said that the Congress legislators would maintain discipline and would abide by the decision taken by the party High Command over the issue.

Referring to the criticism of pro-Telangana parties, Sailajanath said that in a democratic country like ours, everyone has freedom to express his views and therefore, the Seemandhra leaders were free to oppose formation of Telangana.