No U turn on T issue, Diggy tells Botcha

• It is a closed chapter
• Those who have any doubts can meet Antony panel

Hyderabad/New Delhi: PCC president Botcha Satyanarayana who called on the AICC general secretary in charge of state affairs Digvijay Singh to explain the ongoing agitation in Seemandhra region following the CWC decision to bifurcate the state was in for rude shock when he was told that the only option left for them was to present their apprehensions and views before the Antony committee. Singh told Botcha that the decision on division of the state was a closed chapter.

The AICC general secretary later told the media that political leaders, representatives of various associations including government employees had met him and he told them that there was no question of going back on the decision of bifurcation. He said he told all those who met him to appear before the Antony Committee and explain their doubts and apprehensions. He said the committee after hearing all their views, the committee would submit a report to the high command so that those issues could be addressed.

Replying to a question, he said that the decision to bifurcate the state was taken only after all political parties had favored the formation of Telangana state in the past, Digvijay Singh wondered where was the question of any opposition to the decision for bifurcating the state as was being claimed by some parties. Digvijay Singh expressed his ignorance about plans to make Hyderabad a union territory. He also refused to be dragged into further discussion on the issue except asserting that he did not foresee any hurdles in the formation of a Telangana State.

Botcha raps YSRCP, TDP

APCC President Botcha Satyanarayana targeted the YSRCP and the TDP, accusing them of taking out their yatras, with eye on elections. These yatras are bound to continue till polls, just for one-upmanship in the run-up to the elections, as it is meant to cover-up their past positions, mislead people and derive political mileage.

Botcha Satyanarayana asked both the parties to refrain from trying to make political capital by negatively targeting the Congress. Instead, he suggested that leaders of the two parties to write open letter to air their views on specific issues arising from the decision on bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, if they find it difficult to discuss the issues with the leadership of the Congress.

As the press conference was in progress, supporters of united Andhra Pradesh stormed inside and sought to disrupt it. Students of Sri Krishna Devaraya University in Anantapur came in and pressed for his resignation. Storming into the press conference, the students raised slogans in favour of keeping Andhra Pradesh united. Students of SKD University said some students in Vizianagaram had targeted supporters of those seeking to keep Andhra Pradesh united. Botcha Satyanarayana said he was not aware of such an incident. If there is any truth in it, then serious action will follow against those, who indulged in such incidents, he assured the protestors.