Congress leaders return without assurance on Telangana

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Congress leaders from Telangana Wednesday returned here from New Delhi without an assurance from the central leadership that the process for formation of a separate Telangana state would be initiated immediately.

Reportedly unhappy over the mass resignations of members of parliament and the state legislature, the party leadership gave no assurance but only asked the Congress leaders from Telangana to be available for further consultations over the issue.

Telangana leaders, who held four rounds of talks with the central leadership since Tuesday, demanded that the process for formation of a separate state be initiated with a fixed time frame.

Claiming that their talks have not failed, state minister K. Jana Reddy told reporters in New Delhi that they were optimistic the central government would initiate the process immediately by taking note of their views.

Senior leader and Rajya Sabha member Keshava Rao ruled out withdrawing resignations unless the process for formation of Telangana state is initiated.

"Nothing except separate Telangana state will satisfy us," he said when asked if they were satisfied with the talks.

The leaders, who held another round of talks with party general secretary Gulam Nabi Azad Wednesday, said they made it clear that their resignations were not aimed at arm-twisting but were sincere attempt to fulfil their urge for a separate Telangana state.

The leaders, who also met central leaders Pranab Mukjerjee and Ahmed Patel Tuesday, reminded the leadership that the party promised separate state in its election manifesto in 2004 and the government issued a statement Dec 9, 2009, that the process will be initiated.

Keshava Rao said the process may be started through a bill in parliament, a resolution or "your own talking".

The MP said they were "dismayed" at few remarks of union Home Minister P. Chidambaram. "We are not saying that the issue can be solved in a minute or two but we want a fixed time frame," he added.

Thirteen MPs, including nine of the ruling Congress, and 100 legislators, including 40 from the ruling party, have submitted their resignations to press for a separate state.