Congress credits Sonia Gandhi for formation of Telangana

NEW DELHI: As Telangana came into existence as the 29th state of India, Congress today extended best wishes to the people of the state, reminding them that it was not possible without Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh's support.

Former Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, in whose tenure the Bill for creation of the new state was passed, credited the Congress President for formation of a separate Telangana.

"It was the desire of Sonia Gandhi. She had promised the people of Telangana that she will give them a separate state. She has fulfilled her commitment and the whole credit goes to her," Shinde told PTI.

Party General Secretary Digvijay Singh, who is in-charge of party affairs in undivided Andhra Pradesh, extended best wishes to the people of the two states.

"New States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh come into existence. My best wishes to People of both Sates", he tweeted.

Through another tweet, Singh hoped that through a healthy competitive spirit and mutual cooperation both States would grow. "Best wishes to KCR and Chandrababu Naidu."

"Let us also not forget that without Soniaji and Manmohan Singhji this wouldn't have been possible. They fulfilled the commitment made", he said in another tweet.

Telangana came into existence as the 29th state of India today, capping the decades-old struggle in the region for carving out a separate state from Andhra Pradesh.

TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu will soon take charge as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.