16 Cong ministers from Telangana seek meeting with Sonia

New Delhi, Feb 25 (PTI) With controversy over Telanganaissue deepening, 16 ministers of Andhra Pradesh governmentbelonging to the region have sought an "urgent" audience withCongress President Sonia Gandhi saying any delay will be"detrimental" to the party and there was "no alternative" to aseparate state.

In a joint memorandum to Gandhi, the ministersrecalled that the MPs from Telangna had already presentedthere case before the top leadership and made no secret oftheir "uncompromising stand" on separate state.

"This should be an indicator of the ground reality. Anydelay will be detrmiental to the interest of the party andthe state....there is no alternative to separate state ofTelangana," the ministers said.

The leaders said the position of Telangana ministers is"precarious" and they can neither allow the party to bealienated nor abdicate their responsibilities "so long as weare in position".

Referring to recent developments including studentsagitation and non-cooperation movement by government employeesin Telangana, the ministers said police action or repressivemeasures are no answer to the public fury and will not onlyalienate Congress but will also deepen social tension. (more)PTI AMR