Primary Education Minister S Sailajanath on Tuesday said that MLAs and MLCs of the Congress from the Rayalaseema and Andhra regions would meet on January 17 to discuss the Centre's possible decision on the Telangana issue.
Talking to reporters at the Assembly premises, Sailajanath said that all legislators supporting a united Andhra Pradesh would meet at Minister's Quarters on Thursday at 11am, to discuss the strategy to be adopted to keep Andhra Pradesh united.
He opined that the state ought to remain united for the protection of the identity and sentiments of Telugu people. He added that the Centre must reject the demand for the formation of a Telangana state.
Sailajanath also ridiculed claims being made by some ministers stating that they had received indications of the formation of a Telangana state.
Citing sources, he claimed that the Centre was considering the implementation of some of the
recommendations of the Srikrishna Committee, and added that it had no plans to bifurcate AP.
However, the minister said that the Congress legislators would maintain discipline and abide by the decision taken by the party's High Command in the subject.
Referring to criticism of pro-Telangana parties, Sailajanath said that in a democratic country like India, everyone has the freedom to express his views, and that therefore, Seemandhra leaders were free to oppose the formation of a Telangana. (INN)