The Hindu : New Delhi News : Telangana not linked to second SRC, says Moily

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Tuesday, Jan 15, 2008
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Telangana not linked to second SRC, says Moily

Gargi Parsai

‘It’s a standalone demand in common minimum programme’

Congress serious about addressing Telangana issue, says the AICC Media Committee Chairman
‘Pranab Mukherjee will try to work out a consensus on the statehood demand’

NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader and Chairman of the AICC Media Committee, Veerappa Moily, on Monday said the formation of a separate Telangana State was “not linked” to the setting up of the second States Reorganisation Commission.

Seeking to dispel any misgivings on the issue, he said the Telangana issue was a “standalone” demand which found mention in the National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP) of the United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre.

The Congress, which is under pressure from its own MPs and MLAs for a separate Telangana State, said senior party leader Pranab Mukherjee headed a group that had been assigned the task of evolving a consensus with the UPA and supporting parties on the demand.

Reiterates position

“The UPA in the NCMP has singled out Telangana after due consultation. We stand by that position. When we singled out the Telangana demand for mention in the NCMP, there is no need to refer it to the second SRC.”

Saying that the demand for a separate Telangana State was mentioned in the party’s State manifesto as well, Mr Moily said “No one need get disturbed. Congress is serious that the Telangana issue has to be addressed. It is a promise to be fulfilled before elections. Pranab Mukherjee will try to work out a consensus.”

Separate issue

When reminded that there was a view in the party that while the demand for creation of separate States was valid, the better route to do it should be through the second SRC which would have technical support on issues of economic viability, historical claim, sustainability etc, he said “That is a general view. Telangana is a standalone issue. It is beyond all these stages as it has already reached the NCMP.”

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