Taking a lenient view of the apprehensions raised by chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy over bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, AICC state affairs incharge Digvijaya Singh on Saturday said all aspects pertaining to various subjects with regard to division of state would be effectively addressed by Antony committee. Hence, he made it clear that there was no cause for concern in any quarters. Ruling out any disciplinary action against Kiran Reddy, who had the other day almost challenged the Congress Working Committee’s decision to bifurcate AP by raising concerns over sharing of river waters and electricity and the status of Hyderabad, Digvijaya Singh said, “I have spoken to the chief minister. I am convinced by his explanation.” Almost giving clean chit to the chief minister, Divijaya said, “I have even watched the press conference of Kiran Reddy. What he said was that the issues, which will arise out of division of AP should be addressed much before the bifurcation the state. Our committee will look into them.” The AICC point man denied there was a rift between the chief minister and his deputy. As already reported in these columns, Digvijaya’s statement only confirmed that Delhi has allowed Kiran Reddy to unburden himself by making public the need to protect the interests of Seemandhra people at the time of bifurcation. Speaking to mediapersons in Delhi on Saturday, Digvijaya Singh appealed to various sections of people from Seemandhra, such as employees and students in particular, not to be carried away by unfounded fears. He questioned, “Are not the students, business people and employees from various parts of India living in large cities like Delhi and Mumbai. Then, why do Seemandhra people who live in Hyderabd express fears? Indian Constitution guarantees right to everybody to live any where in the country.” Making an appeal to the government employees of Seemandhra to withdraw their proposal to go on indefinite strike from August 12, the AICC point man requested them to present their representations before Antony’s committee.
Asked when exactly the constitutional process to form T-state would begin, the AICC general secretary replied that it would depend on the Centre as to when to start the process. He, however, said the due process would go on. The AICC point man evaded a straight answer to a query whether Antony committee and the Centre would simultaneously work on the T-process.
Salvos at Naidu
When asked about the recent letter written by TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu to the prime minister, Digvijaya replied, “I would like to remind Naidu that we had received the letter of his consent for T-state. He may now go back on this. But, Congress can’t,” he said.
Elaborating on this, he added, “People may say one thing and do another. But, Congress has taken a stand to form T-state only after detailed discussions and deliberations. So, our party will not go back from its decision,” he categorically said.
He recalled that the Congress had taken a decision to form Telangana state only after all other political parties in the state had backed the same.
“After getting near consensus from both within and outside the Congress over T-issue, the Congress Working Committee had taken a decision to accord statehood to Telangana,” he said.
Speaking earlier in the day, the AICC point man divulged that Antony committee would start functioning on Tuesday.
Digvijaya said he had asked the chief minister and PCC chief Botcha Satyanarayana to send the names of those Seemandhra leaders who would want to appear before the committee to present their arguments.
He, however, made it clear that all the leaders of the party should abide by the resolution of the CWC.
Meanwhile, the PCC chief met Digvijaya and AK Antony in Delhi. After the meeting, Botcha told the media that he asked Digvijaya to allay the fears of Seemandhra people over the safety and security of Seemandhra settlers in Hyderabad.
“Digvijaya asked me to send the list of the party leaders who would like to meet Antony panel. I will prepare the list after consulting the chief minister on Monday,” Botcha said.