CWC decision not final, claims Chiru

• Finality on T only after Antony panel gives report
• Antony to speak to leaders from Seemandhra
• Chiru claims Sonia gave a categorical assurance

Venkat Parsa

New Delhi: Union Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi on Tuesday claimed that Congress President Sonia Gandhi has assured the Union Ministers from Seemandhra region that the final decision on Telangana would be put in abeyance till the high Congress Committee gives its report. After meeting Sonia Gandhi, Chiranjeevi that they have received assurance from her and they are leaving fully satisfied. The Union Ministers from Seemandhra claims after their meeting with Soniaa Gandhi that she has assured them that forward movement on Telangana will be made after fully satisfying them.

However, contrary to the claims of the Union Ministers from the Congress High Command had directed Finance Minister P Chidambaram to make a statement in the Rajya Saba signally forward movement on Telangana. The Congress High Command is only seeking to mollify the Seemandra leaders but at no point will it rethink its stand on Telangana. Sonia Gandhi is understood to have advised all the Union Ministers from Seemandhra to convey their apprehensions and fears to the high-powered Antony Committee and it will address all their concerns.

This was her response when Chiranjeevi told Sonia Gandhi that all sections of people viz., like students, entrepreneurs, businessmen, farmers and even hawkers are agitated about their livelihood and their future. Chiranjeevi said she had assured them there is no cause for worry at this juncture.

The two-member Congress Committee headed by Union Defence Minister A K Antony and including AICC General Secretary in-charge of Andhra Pradesh Digvijay Singh has been expanded to include Union Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily, who had in the past served as AICC General Secretary incharge of Andhra Pradesh and is familiar with the State and its issues.

Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi, HRD Minister M M Pallam Raju, Minister of State for Finance J D Seelam, Minister of State for Telecom Killi Kripa Rani, Minister of State for Petroleum Panabaka Lakshmi and Minister of State for Commerce D Purandeshwari were among those who met Sonia Gandhi. Later, these Union Ministers proceeded to the residence of K V P Ramachander Rao and held a late-night meeting.

Human Resources Development Minister M M Pallam Raju said, “We told her that she has shown solution to one region, while the other region is feeling ignored. She responded, saying that she had promised a Congress Committee, which has now been set up. She wanted all the Union Ministers and all other leaders, MLAs, MLCs and MPs to represent their problems and views to the committee and assured that justice will be done.”