Former Minister T Jeevan Reddy, on Sunday, said that the Congress' failure to clarify its stand on the Telangana statehood demand was what pushed it to the 4th position in the by-elections in the Parkal Assembly constituency.
Talking to reporters in the Assembly premises, Jeevan Reddy said that union ministers Ghulam Nabi Azad and G Vayalar Ravi should have participated in the by-election campaign in Parkal.
"However, neither the central leadership nor state leaders could convince the voters about the party's stand on the statehood issue," he asserted.
Jeevan Reddy said that YSRC honorary president Vijayamma had assured the Parkal voters that she would abide by the central government's decision on the state's bifurcation, but that her party endorses Telangana sentiments.
He opined that Vijayamma's statement had brought the voters close to the YSRC, and that that was why it stood second after the Telangana Rashtra Samithi.
Jeevan Reddy said that with all the parties blaming the Congress for the delay in the Telangana decision, the party's future in the region looks bleak. He predicted that Congress would lose its identity in the region.
He demanded that union home minister P Chidambaram convene an all-party meeting soon, to force parties to spell out their stands on the statehood issue. He also demanded that the state send factual reports on the existing scenario in the region to the Centre. (INN)