In less than 24 hours after stating that Telangana does not figure in the UPA's Common Minimum Program, AICC spokesperson P C Chacko made a U-turn and accused the media of mis-representing his earlier statement.
"Telangana is one of the most important issues in the UPA's agenda," Chacko clarified on Sunday, while alleging that he was misquoted by the media earlier.
However, he said that a decision on the statehood issue would come out after the completion of deliberations. He said that the Congress was well aware of the demand for statehood, and that the party respects the sentiments of the Telangana people.
It may be mentioned here that Chacko's statement had triggered strong reactions from within and outside the Congress. Three Congress MPs - Manda Jagannadham, S Rajaiah and G Vivek - had threatened to resign from the party if it fails to clarify its stand on the statehood issue by May 30.
Likewise, TRS and BJP had strongly condemned Chacko's statement, and had said that his comments exposed the Congress' true stand on the Telangana issue. (INN)
filed in:P C Chacko, Telangana Congress, Telangana Agitation