Speaker meets Digvijay

Deputy CM steps up lobbying New Delhi/Hyderabad: Amid moves for bringing a Telangana resolution in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, Speaker Nadendla Manohar on Wednesday called on AICC General Secretary in-charge of Andhra Pradesh Digvijay Singh in the Capital. The meeting assumes significance, as the Congress has made it clear that a resolution has to be moved in the State Legislature, although its outcome is not binding on the Centre. According to party sources, the meeting was meant to discuss the process for bringing the Telangana resolution in the State Assembly. The Congress is also trying to assess how the political parties would react to it on the floor of the House. However, the Congress High Command is not unduly perturbed over the issue, as it is sure that this resolution does not impact the process for forming Telangana. Meanwhile, with indications that the Congress Working Committee would meet before the month end, Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha who had made a strong plea for Telangana has intensified his lobbying for a separate state. It is learnt that he has prepared a detailed letter explaining why Andhra Pradesh should be divided. He is understood to have incorporated all the salient features of the report he had presented to the Congress Core Group on July 12 on the need for bifurcation. Sources said that the Deputy CM is likely to go to New Delhi anytime. He would personally meet all the CWC members and explain his view on the contentious issue so that it would help them when the issue comes up for discussion.