Congress ministers seek quick decision on Telangana

NEW DELHI: The exasperation within the Congress over the central leadership dragging its feet on a final call on Telangana statehood issue is evident. Now, Union ministers hailing from the state have sent clear signals to Congress high command that delay in taking a decision would be politically suicidal for the party. The ministers fear that delay in decisionmaking could mar Congress’ chances in the 2014 parliamentary and Assembly elections.

Andhra Pradesh, with 42 Lok Sabha seats, is a politically crucial state for the Congress. However, the party is facing a twin challenge of growing influence of YSR Congress Party and Telangana statehood issue. In 2009, the party had won 31 of 42 seats – a feat seen unlikely for the party to repeat. A known proponent of united-Andhra Tribal Affairs minister and Araku MP V Kishore Chandra Deo said: “There is an urgent need to address the issue. This state of confusion does not augur well for the party. This obviously makes Congressmen restless. We can see that in the recent resignations from the party. The central leadership is aware of this and hopefully we will have a decision soon.”

Though the party has dismissed the recent resignations of Telangana MPs as “personal ambition”, the Congress is aware that it cannot go to the 2014 elections without a clear vision on Telangana. “It will not wash down well with the electorate. We have to take a call on this,” said another Union minister who did not wish to be named.

According to sources, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and general secretary in-charge of Andhra Digvijaya Singh have started consultations on the issue. A senior Congress MP from the state told ET: “They have been given the same indications. The party is bleeding in AP. They need to take a call on Telangana and also address leadership question.”