Congress Leaders To End Boycott

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and Pradesh Congress Committee President D Srinivas on Monday successfully convinced Congress Legislators from Telangana to end their boycott of the state Legislative Assembly and start attending the budget sessions.

The end of the impasse came at a meeting held at Congress Legislature party office on Monday when the Chief Minister assured the Telangana Congress MLAs and MLCs that the Centre will take a decision on the Telangana issue after the elections to the Assemblies of 5 states, scheduled in May, are completed.

Kiran Kumar Reddy further called upon Telangana leaders to be patient until the Centre announces a decision on the issue.

The Chief Minister made it clear to Telangana Congress leaders that he has not sent any adverse report against Telangana to the High Command.

He said,"Whatever decision the Centre takes on Telangana, I will stand by it."

The Chief Minister also stated that if the ruling party MLAs do not attend the session and the 2011-2012 Budget is not passed, it could throw up a lot of problems. He appealed to all the Telangana Congress MLAs and MLCs to attend the budget session and help the government pass the budget.

Earlier, Pradesh Congress Committee President D Srinivas stated that the Congress High Command has issued a whip to all MLAs and MLCs to attend the session and pass the budget.

He also stated that it is the responsibility of the ruling party representatives to ensure that the party candidates win the MLC elections scheduled for March 17th.

Kiran Kumar Reddy and Srinivas were able to convince party MLA P Lakshma Reddy who gave voice to the question many Congress Legislators are searching the answer for.

P Lakshma Reddy had asked the Chief Minister, "How do we go before the people of our constituencies without a concrete announcement by the Centre on Telangana statehood?"

He pointed out, "We are not attending any meetings in our constituencies, and are not even able to look into the problems faced by the people since we fear a backlash."

MLAs Arepalli Mohan and Gandra Venkata Ramana Reddy stated, "We are boycotting the Assembly since we are seeking a clear announcement on the Telangana formation. Now, with the Chief Minister having made it clear that the Centre would make efforts towards the formation of Telangana before May, we are ready to attend the House and help the government pass the budget."

Reacting on Telangana Journalists Forum conducting a 'mock assembly', Arepalli Mohan stated, "We have not received any invitation in this regard from any one. We will attend the House and help the government pass the budget."

The meeting was attended by ministers Komatireddy Venkata Reddy, Jana Reddy and Basavaraju Saraiah.

Around 23 MLAs and 6 MLCs were present at the meeting. However, half of the Telangana Congress leaders did not turn up for the meeting.

Courtesy: INN