Talks and more talks amid speculation, hope

Hyderabad/New Delhi: The Andhra Pradesh guest house in New Delhi, AP Bhavan, which has become a hub of political activity has witnessed a series of meetings between the leaders of Telangana and Seemandhra regions. Supporters from both the regions were also present at the Bhavan and the government has provided heavy police bandobust. Leaders from both sides met the Union Minister for Home Sushil Kumar Shinde and presented their arguments for and against division of the State. More than half a dozen Lok Sabha MPs from Telangana held a meeting at the residence of MP Ponnam Prabhakar on Friday. It was also attended by ministers from Telangana region. The MPs -- Ponnam Prabhakar, Madhu Yakshi Goud, Gutta Sukhender Reddy, S Rajaiah, Suresh Kumar Shetkar and others -- also held a meeting at the residence of AICC Secretary and a senior leader from the region V Hanumantha Rao. Later, talking to the media, IT Minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah urged Seemandhra leaders to be patient. He said that the High Command had sought a roadmap which is a process to carve Telangana state. He said he was confident that the High Command would not cheat the people of the region. Asked about the need to bring in a Constitution amendment bill, he said even that would not be a hurdle in carving a separate state. Another Minister Sunita Lakshma Reddy said the she too was confident that the High Command would decide in favour of a separate state. She said, this confidence arises from the fact that the High Command never spoke about Seemandhra. It always said that the process for separate Telangana state would begin. Even Digvijay Singh had said that if bifurcated the Congress party would get 15 Lok Sabha seats in the region. Former minister Shabbir Ali said that they got clear indications from the High Command that Telangana would be a reality when they held the public meeting at Nizam College grounds on June 30. "They never objected to it nor did they ask us not to hold it," Telangana Praja Sanghala Aikya Vedika leader Gajjala Kantam also met Shinde and later said that they had told him that the time for separate state had come. If Telangana is carved, people will be with Congress party. "I urged the Home Minister to see that the decision on forming Telangana state was announced in July itself. On the other hand, Seemandhra leaders refused to accept the argument that the State would be divided. Minister T G Venkatesh said at the most the High Command would announce its intention to bifurcate the State three months ahead of elections. "Then let us see how people will react." Another Minister S Sailajanath said there was no question of splitting the State. Security, development and freedom would be possible only in Visalandhra. He said the High Command, after collecting the reports and hearing the arguments, might form a committee to examine these reports before taking a final decision. He said, "be rest assured no announcement will come today." Meanwhile, Seemandhra leaders sent a report to PCC president on the success of bandh in that region. In Hyderabad, TRS leader Swamy Goud reacted saying that Congress was enacting a high drama. It is like a 10-headed snake and each head talks in different ways. He said the Congress at the most will announce that they are not against division of the State and will drag the issue till snap polls. He said TRS has been silent over the developments as it is keenly watching the situation and would react at appropriate time.