Centre to decide on Telangana: CM

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah on Tuesday said that the central government would take a decision on the bifurcation of the state to create a separate Telangana.

As Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) president K. Chandrasekhara Rao continued his fast-unto-death for the 10th day, Rosaiah told reporters that the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was informed of the Telangana issue.

Rosaiah said his government would abide by the decision of the central government. Telangana region comprises 10 districts including Greater Hyderabad.

"If the central government takes a decision, there may be no need for passing a resolution in the assembly," he said, referring to the demand by TRS and other opposition parties.

Rosaiah said he has brought to the notice of Congress president Sonia Gandhi the opinions expressed by various parties at a meeting on Monday night.

"I have sent a report to the high command and I hope it will consider the same today," the Chief Minister said.

Rosaiah said he would go to New Delhi on Wednesday to greet Sonia Gandhi on her birthday.

State Congress president D. Srinivas on Monday reached New Delhi and apprised the leadership of the Telangana agitation.

Though the ruling party has said that it would abide by Sonia Gandhi's decision and legislators authorised her to take a decision, it appeared divided over Telangana.

Divergent views were expressed by Congress legislators from Telangana, Rayalaseema and Andhra regions at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting on Monday evening.

The party legislators from Rayalaseema would meet on Tuesday evening to discuss the issue while legislators from Greater Hyderabad would hold a separate meeting on Wednesday.

A section of Congress legislators from Rayalseema want a separate state for the region, which comprises four districts.

At least two ministers from greater Hyderabad wanted union territory status for the city in view of the large number of settlers living here.