The Chief Minister, Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, is likely to ask the Congress brass to take a decision on bifurcation of the state without delay to end the stalemate once and for all. Mr Reddy will be visiting New Delhi on January 5 for the all-party meeting convened by the Union home minister for the next day on Telangana.
The Chief Minister has been meeting Congress MLAs and MPs in the state for the last few days on the issue and sources say that he is of the view that that Union government, without taking much time pondering over the Srikrishna Committee report, should announce its stand on bifurcation so that the state Congress leadership and the government can be prepared to face the consequences.
If the Centre delays the decision further it would be difficult for the state leadership to control party leaders who will continue to be divided along regional lines.
“If the party and the government have a clear stand on bifurcation, unity could then be achieved and the state government can make all-out efforts to bring the administration back on track. The party will also be geared up to meet political challenges from both the TD and Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy ahead of the local body polls,” a source said.
Stretching the issue for too long would continue to create confusion among Congress cadres, as the leaders of each region claim party high command’s backing, informed sources.
However, according to some leaders who were in touch with party leaders, particularly the Union finance minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, the high command is worried about the number game both at the Centre and the state.
“If it (decision) leads to the resignations of MPs and MLAs belonging to one region it would be difficult for the party,” Mr Mukherjee seems to have said.
