For Pranab Mukherjee, the Telangana issue keeps coming back to him, though he is President of India now.
Before he left for Delhi after winding up his southern sojourn in Hyderabad, Telangana ministers called on him and sought his intervention for the creation of Telangana state.
Though the ministers tried to get an appointment on Monday night, they could call on him only on Tuesday, before he left for Delhi.
The ministers told Pranab that creation of Telangana state was not their wish but that of the people of the region. Pranab told them that he was aware of the issue and expressed hope that before long a solution would be found. The President raised the rape issue and asked the ministers to ensure adequate protection is provided to women.
Those who called on the President included D Sridhar Babu, J Gita Reddy, P Sabita Indra Reddy, P Sudahrshan Reddy, B Saraiah and Sunitha Lakshma Reddy.