Hectic lobbying by Telangana, Seemandhra groups in Delhi

It was a day of competitive lobbying at New Delhi for contingents of both Telangana and Seemandhra ministers, MLAs and MPs who tried to exert pressure on the party high command to take a decision in their favour on the issue of bifurcation of the state.

Though the two groups went round the national capital and met senior leaders of the party, neither got any categorical assurance that their request would be accommodated. Instead, the party leaders told them that no decision has been taken yet. They did not let anyone have any inkling as to whether the party was in favour of bifurcation or for keeping the state united.

Minister DK Aruna of the Telangana contingent said: “We are here to do our best to prevent the leadership from being influenced by Seemandhra leaders.”

Seemandhra leaders said they had submitted to the Prime Minister that division of a state solely based on backwardness was not advisable as it would lead to undesirable consequences subsequently. They suggested that it would be better if a solution on the lines of the one given for Gorkhaland was contemplated for Telangana.

Minister T G Venkatesh was more explicit. “Azad had told us that the party would take a decision on the Telangana issue since it is seized of it. He wanted us to make efforts to infuse strength into the party to face the next elections. He said he will do justice to us,” Venkatesh said.

The Telangana delegation, which began its day by calling on Sushil Kumar Shinde, later met Vayalar Ravi. When the delegation was on its way to Vayalar Ravi’s office in Akbar Bhavan, the Seemndhra delegation just finished its work and was emerging from Ravi’s office. Interestingly, the two groups greeted each other and even hugged and exchanged pleasantries which came as a big surprise to the onlookers.