KCR reaches out to Seemandhra people, to meet Sonia Gandhi in 2 days

NEW DELHI: Hours after Telangana bill was passed in Rajya Sabha, TRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao reached out to Seemandhra people, especially those living in Telangana region amid apprehension about their future, saying they were "brothers and sisters" and can live happily in the new state.

Making a statement to the media, a jubilant Rao, seen as the main force behind the creation of the new state, hailed Congress President Sonia Gandhi for her role in carving out the new state and said he would meet her in a couple of days.

Asked whether his party would merge with Congress or have an alliance with it, he said "I will answer all your questions tomorrow".

"I appeal to all Andhra people who are living in Hyderabad. They can live comfortably... We never thought that they were not part of Telangana. They are part of Telangana," he said. Rao had earlier made some provocative statements against Seemandhra people living in Telangana.

Stressing that people of the both states could flourish with cooperation, Rao said Seemandhra people who are in Telangana "are our brothers and sisters".

Gandhi, he said, was responsible for the creation of the new state even as he also thanked BJP and BSP President Mayawati and others who supported the bill in Parliament.

"I thank Sonia Gandhi. I will be meeting her in the next couple of days to convey my thanks."