The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Differences surface at Congress meeting on tie-up with TRS

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Differences surface at Congress meeting on tie-up with TRS

Sonia discusses political situation with MPs
Rajya Sabha member says there is no need for alliance with TRS

HYDERABAD: Differences of opinion reportedly surfaced among Congress MPs from Andhra Pradesh on whether the party should sail with the Telangana Rashtra Samiti in the elections or plough a lonely furrow, in the presence of Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on Friday.

Ms. Gandhi met these leaders to discuss the latest political situation as also the party’s preparedness for the elections. According to reliable sources, Rajya Sabha member M. A. Khan said that there was no need for an alliance with TRS as the Congress had emerged stronger.

These remarks reportedly drew opposition from other MPs from Telangana. V. Hanumantha Rao is said to have commented that the TDP-TRS combine would be a strong force in the region.

Nizamabad MP Madhu Yaskhi referred to the results of byelection to the Council in which the TRS candidate won by a comfortable margin from the Graduates Constituency, comprising Nizamabad, Adilabad, Medak and Karimnagar districts, to drive home the point that sentiment was still strong. He said the educated sections had delivered a clear verdict about their aspirations to have a separate State.

Former PCC chief K. Keshava Rao urged Ms. Gandhi to convene a meeting of leaders from the Telangana region.

The MPs also discussed other issues such as the demand for introduction of a Bill in Parliament reserving 33 per cent reservations for the Backward Classes in the State legislature. A delegation of MPs also called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with a similar plea.

In Hyderabad, Pradesh Congress chief D. Srinivas told reporters there was need for the party to analyse the result of the Council by-elections.

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