TDP to take a call today

Miffed over the decision of the Group of Ministers (GoM) to seek opinions of political parties after setting the process of bifurcation in motion and taking certain decisions, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has decided not to take any cognizance of the GoM.

Keeping in view the divergent opinions at the meetings TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu had with leaders from Telangana and Seemandhra region, the party on Monday decided to take a final call on Tuesday on the issue of attending the all-party meeting only after holding a joint meeting with its leaders from both regions.

It is learnt that, while the T leaders wanted TDP to inform the Centre that Hyderabad should be the permanent capital of Telangana, the Seemandhra leaders wanted some concessions on the status of Hyderabad.

The Seemandhra leaders were understood to have told Naidu that the party should withdraw the letter it had given to the Centre supporting State’s bifurcation. But, Naidu, it is learnt, did not react positively to the suggestion. He, however, told them that the Seemandhra leaders on their own can meet the President of India and submit a letter to him demanding the status quo so that they can reflect the aspirations of the people of that region. A delegation later met the President and submitted a memorandum. According senior party leader Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy, the Seemandhra leaders were of the opinion that the GoM should convene an all-party meeting with all national parties and it should also meet the JACs of Telangana and Seemandhra region before taking forward the process of bifurcation.

The Seemandhra leaders claimed that they would insist the party to write a letter to the Prime Minister and the President of India explaining the problems that would arise out of bifurcation and would demand to pass the resolution in State Assembly.