Union minister S Jaipal Reddy on Monday appealed to Congress president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to complete the process of formation of Telangana during the ensuing monsoon session of the Parliament.
Speaking to media persons after meeting Sonia Gandhi in Delhi, Jaipal Reddy said that he has requested Sonia Gandhi to hasten the Telangana formation process.
He said that no strings should be attached to the Telangana state, and that it should be independent like other states in the country.
He also opposed the proposal to make Hyderabad a Union Territory, and added said that Bhadrachalam should remain part of Telangana.
Jaipal Reddy said that no constitutional amendment was required to form a Telangana state. He said that the Centre could continue the implementation of Article 371 (D) in both Telangana and the residual state of Andhra Pradesh.
He expressed confidence that the Telangana Bill would be introduced during the monsoon session of the Parliament, beginning December 5.
Jaipal Reddy is also learnt to have discussed with Sonia the latest political situation in the state, including Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy's statements against the Congress High Command's decision. (INN)