Cong committed to Telangana, Vidarbha: Moily

Hyderabad, Jan 9 (UNI) Asserting that the party was committed to the formation of seperate Telangana and Vidarbha states, Congress Working Committee member Veerappa Moily today said the Second States Reorganisation Commission (SRC) would be constituted soon by the Congress-led UPA Government to look into this demand, and trifurcation of Uttar Pradesh.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati, who is extending support to the UPA Government, wanted division of Uttar Pradesh. The Congress party would include this aspect also within the purview of the Second SRC, he said at a press conference here.

Stating that UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi was keen on finding an early solution to the demand for statehood, he said, the ''formation of Telangana and Vidarbha is high on the Congress agenda.'' Blaming Telangana Rashtra Samiti President K Chandrasekara Rao for ''failing'' to convince the UPA allies on the issue, he said a broad consensus on the formation of new states was elusive in spite of the best efforts by the UPA Committee, headed by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

Quoting the Congress 2004 election manifesto, he said the party recognised the growing emotions and aspirations for creation of Telangana and Vidarbha states.

There were valid reasons for the formation of Vidarbha and Telangana states, he said, adding while respecting the report of the first States Reorganisation Commission (SRC), the party was of the view that it should be constituted to look into larger issues involved.

Asked about the view of Congress Parliamentary Party Deputy leader G Venkataswamy that the Telangana state should be formed without constituting the second SRC, he said the sentiments of the party leaders in the Telangana region were well taken. The partymen were bound by the party manifesto, he added.

UNI SM VA VV SV AS2009