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Congress not divided over Telangana issue: Andhra CM

January 05, 2011 20:43 IST
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Thursday dismissed reports of divisions within the ruling Congress on the emotive Telangana issue and asked everyone to wait till the Justice BN Srikrishna Committee report on the statehood issue is released on Thursday.

Kiran Reddy, who will participate in Thursday's meeting called by Home Minister P Chidambaram, said the meeting was primarily to handover the report to political parties. "I also do not know what is in the report. Experts have gone into the Telangana issue in detail. Let us wait for them to submit the report. Let us see what is in it before making comments," he told reporters at the Andhra Bhawan in New Delh.

He also made light of the decision taken by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi and the Bharatiya Janata Party not to attend Thursday's meeting, saying after making announcements "many people change them."

About Congress members of Parliament and members of Legislative Assembly from the Telangan region threatening to resign on the Telangana issue, Kiran Reddy said as public representatives "they reflect the aspirations and desires of the people of their areas." "Let the report come first. Let's go through it," he said.

Asked about reports of divisions within the Congress, he said, "There is no division at all."

To a question, Kiran Reddy said his government was "stable" and would remain in power till 2014. About MLAs and MPs extending support to Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, he said many lawmakers respect late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy. "They respect YSR. But they are all Congressmen," he said.

He also said the decision on the Telangana issue has to be taken by the Centre. "I was invited by the Home Minister to participate in the meeting," he said.

The Andhra CM said his government will ensure that there is no violence after the report is made public.

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