Hopes of Telangana leaders rose on Monday when AICC state affairs in-charge Digvijay Singh spoke in a tenor that suggested that the Centre was in favour of bifurcation of the state.
Though he did not commit himself to saying either yes or no to the demand for bifurcation of the state, the way he analysed the problem gave the hope that the 60-year-old demand might, at last, be accepted.
Acknowledging genuineness of the demand for separate Telangana at a news conference at Gandhi Bhavan, the AICC general secretary said that the chief minister, the PCC president and the deputy chief minister have been asked to prepare a road map for future keeping both the options - bifurcation and keeping the state united - in mind. The road map is about what should be the strategy and course of action if the state is divided or left united.
In another context, the former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh said that though states had been divided after a resolution to this effect was passed in their respective legislative assemblies, yet it may not be binding. “A resolution in the Assembly is not binding on the UPA,” he said, lending credence to the argument that the decision might go Telangana way.
The AICC general secretary spoke of the “painful” experience he went through when Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh. “It was not an easy decision but we did it. The issues of division are quite intricate,” he said, adding that the decision on Telangana would be taken in the best interests of the state as well as the nation. While taking a decision, the recommendations of the Justice Srikrishna Committee also would be taken into consideration. “After taking a comprehensive view of the issues involved, a decision would be taken,” Digivijaya Singh said.
Digivijay Singh refused to commit himself when the decision would be taken. “I do not want to give any deadlines. Such deadlines were But what all I can say is that it is in the final stages,” he said. When pressed for an answer, he said “as soon as possible.” Asked if there was any proposal to form Rayala Telangana, the AICC general secretary said; “I too heard the rumour.” He said the options before the Congress were only two: Dividing the state or keeping it united,” he said.
Asked why the December 9, 2009 promise on Telangana had not been kept by the Congress so far, Digivijay Singh said that on the contrary, it has kept its word. On that day Union Home Minister had said process for Telangana formation has begun. You are aware that it has begun and is continuing,” he said.
Asked about YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, he said he had the DNA of the Congress but the party he was heading was opposed to the Congress. He did not elaborate on it.
'Modi Fake Rambo'
Digvijaya Singh described Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as “feku” (one who is good at bluffing). The “Rambo” is reported to have evacuated 15,000 people of Gujarat from the flood-ravaged Uttarakhand but the state government site had stated that the number did not cross 600. Modi is said to have brought 28 helicopters to rescue the pilgrims from his state but it was very exaggerated figure,” he said, adding Modi was a creation of media.
The Congress leader advised the BJP not to make politics over bodies of pilgrims but help in reconstruction of the devastated villages and shrines. “The first priority should be rehabilitation and re- settlement of villages affected by the flood,” he said, pointing out that the cloud burst that brought the great deluge would happen only once in a 1,000 years. “It was a natural calamity,” he said.