Andhra Pradesh   

Narendra offers to quit if proved wrong

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, AUG. 20. The Union Minister of State for Rural Development, A. Narendra, said on Friday that he and the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) president, K. Chandrasekhar Rao, would resign as Ministers and also quit the membership of Parliament if it was proved that the issue of Statehood for Telangana did not figure in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) meeting on the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) two days ago.

At a news conference here, Mr. Narendra circulated a copy of the CMP's agenda -- `definite legislative Government business for Parliament'-- which incorporated the issue. The 10th item in the business stated that the UPA Government would consider the demand for the formation of Telangana State.

Charge against media

The Union Minister made light of the criticism that the document did not contain the emblem of the Prime Minister's Office which raised suspicion about its genuineness. He said a section of the media which was "inimical'' to the cause of Telangana carried out a "vilification campaign'' against the movement run by TRS. "It was nothing but yellow journalism."

Mr. Narendra maintained that the copies of the business were circulated at the meeting by none other than the personal secretary to the Prime Minister, Subrahmaniam. Barring the CPI(M), representatives of all constituent parties of the UPA attended. The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, and the AICC president, Sonia Gandhi, were also present.

AICC stand

Regarding the discussion on the issue at the meeting, Mr. Narendra said it was not necessary since there was no dispute among the parties. All of them were favourably disposed to Telangana. He added that the AICC would make its stand clear after the Maharashtra Assembly polls. For the present, the AICC was likely to tell State Congress leaders to maintain `discreet silence.'

Leaders criticised

The Union Minister came down heavily on individual Congress leaders from the State who kept harping on the second States Reorganisation Commission as a pre-condition for Telangana State. They were eager to see the TRS Ministers out of the Cabinet at the Centre and in State so that the Congress could take credit for the formation of the new State. But, the AICC felt otherwise. It wanted to strengthen its relationship with the TRS since the party enjoyed the support of all UPA partners.

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