The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Moily hints at constitution of second SRC

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Moily hints at constitution of second SRC

Says demand triggered by ‘sentiments’ in Telangana, Vidarbha
Comment draws criticism from Congress and other parties

HYDERABAD: All India Congress Committee general secretary Veerappa Moily said here on Wednesday that the constitution of a second States Reorganisation Commission to consider the demand for separate Telangana and Vidarbha was under serious consideration of the Centre and an announcement was likely “any time”.

Telangana, he said, continued to be “high on the agenda” of Congress in tune with its manifesto for the 2004 general elections. In the same breath, Mr. Moily said: “we can have a separate State without a second SRC too, but consultations on evolving a consensus is yet to bear fruit.”

The UPA sub-committee headed by Pranab Mukherjee held consultations with other political parties but a consensus did not emerge. Telangana Rashtra Samiti president K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who was aware of the process, could not convince the UPA partners. Holding aloft the party’s manifesto of 2004, he said though the demand for second SRC was triggered by the ‘sentiments’ in Telangana and Vidarbha, space would be given to the demands from other regions for separate States by duly considering their sentiments.

Mr. Moily said the Congress acknowledged the opposition to the SRC by a section of Congress leaders, but they should abide by the promise made in the Congress’ manifesto. The fallout of the SRC on the Congress party’s election prospects was a “political question” but the people were in favour of a stable Government that the Congress alone could give.

The AICC leader’s announcement came in for sharp criticism from Congress, who viewed the SRC as a delaying tactic, and parties across the political spectrum. Congress Working Committee member G. Venkataswamy said the second SRC would have “disastrous consequences” for the Congress.

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