CM Promises To Accept T Decision: Digvijay

AICC general secretary and in-charge of AP Congress Affairs Digvijay Singh claimed that Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has assured that he would abide by the decision taken by the Centre to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh to carve out a Telangana state.

Talking to reporters in Delhi, Digvijay Singh said that he had spoken to the Chief Minister, who informed him that though his opinion differs in terms of the bifurcation, he would "respect and abide" by the decision the Congress High Command takes.

Digvijay Singh also appealed to the APNGOs and other unions to call off their strike immediately. He claimed that power supply has been restored for emergency services including hospitals, railways and airports. He said that the unions should end their strike in view of the inconvenience being caused to people.

He said, "The Centre consulted all stakeholders, and took a decision only after all the parties declared their support in writing." Stating that he had lot of respect for TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, he said, "What can be done if he changes his stand even after giving [it] in writing. And YSRCP president Jaganmohan Reddy is like my son, his father Dr. Y S Rajasekhara Reddy was my good friend."

However, he said that even Jagan changed his stand after supporting Telangana. He said that the Centre had speculated that all these developments would take place after the announcement.

Digvijay Singh said that the Telangana issue was also discussed with all the leaders of the Congress party. "When they promised that they would abide by the decision of the High Command, then they should keep their promise," he said.

He refused to comment on the non-inclusion of any minister from Andhra Pradesh in the Group of Ministers (who will discuss issues related to the state's bifurcation). He said, "It is the decision taken by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, and everyone should follow it."

When asked about the Central team's visit to the state, he said A K Antony is unwell, and that Ahmed Patel is unable to visit the state. He said though he was willing to go, he has been advised against visiting the state alone. He said all the applications received by the Antony Committee would be forwarded to the GoM.

When asked about Lagadapati Rajagopal approaching the Delhi High Court seeking acceptance of his resignation, he said that the Vijayawada MP had a right to do so. (INN)