Congress' latest decision on AP bifurcation: Exit poll effect?

, Dec 6: Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the

bill submitted by GoM. As per the latest decisions, the new state will consist of the region's 10 current districts.It is against its earlier plan to annexe two more districts to the state - the Rayala-Telangana proposal- which was fiercely opposed by the BJP.

What could be the reason behind Congress' last minute decision?

The exit polls of the recent elections have predicted a sweep for the BJP in four of the five states. The results are due on Sunday.

The centre figured that smaller regional parties are with BJP on the issue of how to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh. So instead of going against BJP's proposal and isolating itself in the parliament, Congress chose to make Telangana with 10 districts.

A bill that clears Telangana as India's 29th state will now be sent to the President Pranab Mukherjee, after which it will be introduced in parliament.

Andhra Pradesh currently comprises of three regions - Telangana, Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema.

The booming IT hub of Hyderabad at the heart of Telangana has been designated a shared capital between the old and new states for 10 years.

Oneindia News

(With agency inputs)