'Two options status quo or creation of a separate state'

Maintaining that a decision cannot be postponed anymore, senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Thursday said the crucial meeting of the Congress Core Group tomorrow (Friday) will discuss the Telangana issue with both options open--status quo or creation of a separate state. Singh, who is the general secretary in-charge for Andhra Pradesh, however, remained non-committal on whether the party has decided to carve out a separate state of Telangana.

"I cannot say anything on this. This has to be decided by Government of India in consultation with UPA partners. As this may also need amendment to the Constitution, we may have to take Opposition parties also on board, Singh said when asked whether a decision has been taken in favour of creation of a separate Telangana. Queried about reports that he had promised some 'sweet news' for Telangana people, the senior Congress leader said he had promised only a decision assuring there would be no ambiguity.  Singh's remarks are significant as they come against the backdrop of speculation that the party may be veering round to the creation of a separate state.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and senior cabinet ministers and leaders form part of the Core Group to which the state Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, PCC Chief Botsa Satyanarayana and Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha, have been invited.

"I have asked the Chief Minister, PCC chief and the Deputy CM to prepare a roadmap of political strategy leading to 2014 Assembly and Lok Sabha elections keeping both options open," Singh said.

Singh, who had submitted a report on the Telangana issue to Gandhi, refrained  from commenting on the contents and the plus and minus points of creation of Telangana and maintaining status quo on united Andhra Pradesh.

Singh steered clear of questions whether a third option was on the cards amid reports of plans of creation of a Rayala-Telangana clubbing two districts from Rayalaseema with the Telangana region.   He said the state leaders were going to give a presentation before the Core Committee tomorrow and on basis of that Government of India would take a decision.

There are pros and cons of both the options. Ultimately, Government of India has to take a view, he said.  The remarks came a day after Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde that the discussions are and the Congress high command will take a final decision on it but it will take time.  To questions about the party's commitment on the issue, Singh said if you see the manifesto, we had promised Second State Reorganization Commission.  Maintaining that the 2004 manifesto has expired in 2009, Singh significantly remarked  but there have been instances of commitment made from time to time by various leaders and therefore the government of India will have to take a considered view.

In the 2004 manifesto, the Congress did not promise anything specifically on Telangana. But subsequently after the elections when it tied up with pro-Telangana TRS to form the government at the Centre, the Common Minimum Programme of the coalition said the UPA government will consider the demand for formation of a Telangana state at an appropriate time after due consultations and consensus.