Telangana live: Make Urdu official language, says Owaisi

8.30 am: Urdu should be official language of Telangana, says Owaisi

The Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (MIM) on Wednesday said it would make efforts for increasing the minority budget in both the states. “We will strive for protection of Muslim interests not only in one state, but in both the states.

“We will demand and ensure that the reservation being given to Muslims is continued in both the states,” party MP Asaduddin Owaisi said.

The party would also demand that Urdu be made the first official language along with Telugu in Telangana and expressed hope that Urdu would continue to be second official language in the other state.

7.45 am: We want new capital in Rayalaseema region, say Congress leaders

Ministers and Congress MLAs from Rayalaseema demanded that the new capital of Andhra Pradesh be located in Rayalaseema region, implying Kurnool town.

“We will accept the new state (Telangana) only if we get our share of assured water from the Krishna river and the new capital,” they said.

A group of ministers, including T G Venkatesh, Erasu Pratap Reddy, Ganta Srinivas and Pitani Satyanarayana met Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Wednesday afternoon and discussed the fallout of the Congress Working Committee’s decision to endorse Telangana.

7.20 am: Andhra protesters vandalise statues of Indira, Rajiv

Supporters of a united Andhra Pradesh reportedly damaged statues of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi at a few places in Ananthapur, besides ransacking a Mandal Revenue office (MRO), a senior police official told PTI.

Agitators also attacked offices of BJP with stones and tried to lay siege to the residence of state revenue minister Raghuveera Reddy.

A vandalised statue of former PM Rajiv Gandhi. PTI

Updates for 31 July end

10.23 pm: Will be happy if Cong merges with TRS, says Digvijaya

Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh on said he will welcome merger of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) with his party now that a decision on Telangana has been taken.

“TRS supremo Chandrashekhar Rao has said in the past that if the Congress gives us state of Telangana we would be very happy to merge TRS with the Congress.

“Now that a decision (on granting statehood to Telangana) has been taken, we would welcome TRS’ merger with Congress,” he said.

10.00 pm: Andhra CM invites cabinet colleagues for meet tomorrow

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has invited his cabinet colleagues from Andhra and Rayalaseema for a meeting tomorrow evening even as ministers from the two regions remained evasive on their possible resignations, sources said.

A group of ministers, including T Balaraju, Pitani Satyanarayana, Md Ahmadullah, Ganta Srinivasa Rao met the Chief Minister here tonight and discussed the ongoing agitation in Andhra-Rayalaseema against Congress’s decision to carve out Telangana state, sources added.

Though the issue of ministers’ resignations also cropped up at the meeting, Kiran reportedly asked them not to resort to any such action as they have to abide by the high command’s decision.

9.17 pm: Don’t demand for more new states after Telangana, says Digvijaya

Congress General Secretary today, amidst rising clamour for new states in the backdrop of Telangana decision, said such demands have to be dealt with separately as every region faces different geographical and socio-economic issues.

“Well the demand for formation of new States has to be dealt separately because of the difference in the geographical and socio-economic status and other issues (in regions seeking statehood),” he told reporters outside the Madhya Pradesh Congress office here.

“So, therefore, decision on one state cannot be the reason for giving other regions the statehood,” the Congress General Secretary maintained.

8.15 pm The Telangana effect: Everyone wants a separate state now

Congress leader Ajit Singh calls for agitation for creation of Harit Pradesh. He said, We want a re-organization of Uttar Pradesh. In a small state the voices of the people are heard more and officials serve the people better. Therefore, if you want to make Harit Pradesh a reality, you have to extend your support to the agitation.

8.00 pm Sonia asks for restraint in the Telangana region

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday asked Telangana leaders to maintain “restraint, brotherhood and cordial relations” with people of Andhra and Rayalseema regions as the process started for creation of a separate state.

She said, “You have to maintain restraint because some people may be aggrieved over the decision. Maintain brotherhood with people of other regions with whom you have lived for so long. Maintain a cordial relationship and give support to people from the other regions, who have settled in the Telangana region.”

7:45 pm: Protesters attempt to pull down Rajiv Gandhi statue in Andhra Pradesh

In a novel protest, protesters in one region of Andhra Pradesh decided the best way to protest the Telangana decision was to pull down a Rajiv Gandhi statue.

They failed miserably and then attempted to burn down a metal statue on a cement pedestal which didn’t work either. Here’s the video:

6:45 pm: Two districts from Rayalaseema could be added to Telangana: report

Despite the potential controversy it could cause, the option of adding Anantpur and Kurnool districts from Rayalaseema to the new state of Telanagana is still open, Congress sources told CNN-IBN. 

The decision on whether to add the two districts to the state of Telangana will be taken by the Group of Ministers, the sources said.

CNN-IBN also reported that the Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi had urged partymen to defend the party’s decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh.

The addition  of the two districts would hit both the YSR Congress and Telugu Desam Party and would result in 21 Lok Sabha seats representing both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states.

While endorsing the decision to form the state of Telangana, the Congress had said that the new state would consist only of 10 districts.

The decision is a contentious one, and one that can see significant opposition from the Rayalaseema districts.

6:15 pm: Will Telangana make it to the Cabinet meet tomorrow?

The issue of Telangana issue is unlikely to come up in the meeting of the Union cabinet on Thursday.

A top home ministry official said no note has been prepared yet to be placed before tomorrow’s scheduled meeting of the cabinet to be chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Read more here

5:30 pm: Samajwadi Party says they will oppose Telangana creation in Parliament

The Samajwadi Party has said that despite the consensus across various parties, they will oppose the creation of Telangana.

“We are not in favour of bifurcating large states,” a spokesperson for the party was quoted as saying by CNN-IBN. 

Incidentally Mayawati had pleaded the case for breaking Uttar Pradesh just this morning.

5:20 pm: Gorkhaland demands hots up, GJM calls for indefinite bandh

The GJM has upped the ante on its demand for Gorkhaland.

GJM general secretary Roshan Giri has said that an indefinite bandh in Darjeeling Hills will begin from Saturday to press for a separate Gorkhaland state.

5:00 pm: TMC continues to attack Centre over Telangana decision

Senior Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy today claimed that the Congress was seeking to derive political benefit in the next Lok Sabha elections by giving consent to statehood for Telangana.

“This is the last phase of the present UPA government and to derive political benefit, the Congress has brought the Telangana issue,” Roy, a former Union minister, told reporters.

4.00 pm: Centre shoud begin assessment of funds needed for new capital

The Telugu Desam Party has asked the Centre to immediately constitute a committee of experts to assess the quantum of funds required to develop a new capital city for Andhra Pradesh state subsequent to the formation of Telangana.

“According to our rough estimates, a staggering Rs 4-5 lakh crore will be required to build a new capital and comprehensively create necessary infrastructure. The new capital should be developed on par with Hyderabad,” TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu told reporters in Hyderabad today. Read more here.

3.10 pm: Mamata slams UPA’s decision on Telangana

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday hit out at the Congress for agreeing to create a Telengana state saying the decision was to win seats in the polls.

The UPA government has created Telangana to gain few seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls,” CNN-IBN reported.

Banerjee also said that there Gorkhaland would not be created and Darjeeling will continue to be a part of West Bengal. “We are not dissolving GTA, Darjeeling will be a part of West Bengal,” she said.

2.14 pm: state ministers submit resignations to Andhra CM

A number of state Andhra Pradesh ministers who are opposed to the creation of Telangana state have submitted resignations to the Andhra CM.

“At least six ministers from Andhra Pradesh have handed over their resignations to chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy in protest against the Congress’ decision to create a new Telangana state. Six party MLAs have also quit”, said NDTV. This takes the total number of MPs who have quit to 13.

A number of MPs including P Ramesh Babu, a Congress legislator from Pendurthy Assembly constituency and Senior Congress MP from Guntur Rayapati Sambasiva Rao had announced their intentions to resign.

Meanwhile Andhra Pradesh MP Pallam Raju has said that the decision was taken in haste but said however that he would do whatever it took to keep the party intact and work for the people in both states.  ”We have to take these decisions in the best interests of the party”, he told CNN-IBN.

12.57 pm: We need to move on, says Andhra CM

Faced with increasing dissent from within his own party now that a separate Telangana is a reality, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy has told his MPs that the decision was a difficult one for him personally, but that they now had to move on.

“It is a painful decision for me also. But we now need to look at road ahead and how to move ahead on the new states”, NDTV quoted Reddy as saying.

His comments in the wake of some resignations in the Andhra Pradesh Congress party including P Ramesh Babu, a Congress legislator from Pendurthy Assembly constituency and Senior Congress MP from Guntur Rayapati Sambasiva Rao.

12.44 pm: Decision by Centre is objectionable to rest of Andhra, says Congress MP Rao
Congress MP from Guntur Rayapati Sambasiva Rao has said he will resign from his post following the Central government’s decision to create a separate Telangana state, calling it objectionable to the people of coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema.

“I am hurt by Congress’ decision to divide Andhra Pradesh. The decision to bifurcate the state is against the interest of the people of the state. Congress leaders from Telangana have misled the party leadership. So, I have decided to resign from both the party and the Lok Sabha seat. I will submit my resignation as soon as I reach Delhi,” Rao told PTI over telephone from New York.

12.03 pm: We have always backed smaller states, saysMayawati

BSP Chief Mayawati on Wednesday made her stand clear on the Telangana issue saying her party has always backed the formation of smaller states.

“I welcome the UPA government’s decision.. we have always supported the formation of Telangana,” she said.

Mayawati also reiterated her party’s demand for the divison of Uttar Pradesh into four  smaller states – Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, Awadh Pradesh and Paschim Pradesh, and said the Centre should also consider creation of  Gorkhaland and Vidarbha.

11.57 am: Congress MLA quits for united Andhra Pradesh

P Ramesh Babu, a Congress legislator from Pendurthy Assembly constituency in the district, has resigned from his post to protest the Congress decision to form a separate Telangana state.

The MLA told PTI in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday that he sent his resignation letter to Assembly Speaker Nadendla Manohar through fax last night.

“I am for united Andhra,” Ramesh Babu said, adding that he resigned from his post as he was upset over his party’s decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh and carve out Telangana as a separate state.

11.20 am: Effigies of Sonia Gandhi burnt as United Andhra activists protest

Road transportation came to a standstill and many schools stayed shut, as several districts of Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra shut-down in protest over the Centre’s decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh.

Supporters of the United Andhra front also reportedly burnt effigies of Congress President Sonia Gandhi in protest.

10.50 am:  ”My son’s dream has come true, he’ll now rest in peace”

In November 2009, Srikantha Chary a second year law student self immolated in front of activists at Hyderabad’s LB Nagar. While his friends rushed him to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries on 3 December the same year.

“I am very happy today. My son’s soul will now rest in peace, learning that his dream has come true,” his mother K Shankaramma toldMumbai Mirror after the UPA government’s decision to create a separate Telangana state.

Shankaramma, a year after her death’s son, had also threatened to commit suicide in the same place. In a way, Srikantha Chary’s death reignited the demand for Telangana.

Read the complete Mumbai Mirror story here.

10.15 am: 15 Congress MPs to vote against Telangana?

According to a report in the Indian Express, at least 15 Congress MPs from coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema have conveyed to the Congress High Command that they would abstain from voting in favour of Telangana in Parliament.

“I am not going against the party but I have a democratic right to disagree,” Congress MP from Vijayawada Lagadapati Rajagopal told the Indian Express. You can read the complete report here.

9.30 am: Here are some quick facts about Telangana

* Telangana means ‘land of Telugus’ and it was part of the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad.

* The total area of the new state will be 1.14 lakh sq km. By area, it is the 12th largest state, while Andhra Pradesh has moved down to the sixth position from fourth.

* It will have a population of 3. 52 cr (2011 census) putting it at the 12th position, while Andhra Pradesh is at the 10th.

* The state will have 10 districts – Hyderabad, Nizamabad, Medak, Rangareddy, Mahbubnagar, Nalgonda, Khammam, Warangal, Karimnagar and Adilabad.

* It will be represented in Parliament by 17 Lok Sabha MPs and the state Assembly will constitute of 119 MLAs.

8.20 am: Bandh across coastal, south Andhra

A day after the UPA government approved the creation of Telangana, those against the division of the state have called for a day-long bandh across coastal and south Andhra.

United Andhra activists called for a bandh in nine Andhra districts and four Rayalaseema districts of the state.

7.41 am: Pros and cons of a small state

After over five decades, the creation of Telangana was finally approved by the UPA government. But what are the pros and cons of a small state?

Advantages:
* Better governance
* Development rate is quicker
* Administrative convenience
* Economic viability
* Similarity in the developmental needs of sub-regions

Disadvantages:
* State is likely to face limitations in terms of the natural and human resources available
* Lack of agro-climatic diversity required for economic and developmental activities
* More dependent of the Centre for financial assistance and centrally sponsored schemes

7.25 am: Telangana approved, but what happens next?

Now that the UPA and the Congress Working Committee have approved the formation of India’s 29th state, there is still much in terms of procedure. Here is what will now happen:

The Union Cabinet will now take up the Telangana demand for approval

After the cabinet clears the State Reorganisation Bill, the Prime Minister will recommend the same to the President.

The President’s Office will then send the bill to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, where after Presidential reference, a resolution will be passed.

The Assembly will then have to pass a Bill creating the new state of Telangana.

Post that, a separate Bill will then have to be ratified by both houses of Parliament.

7.10 am: PM, Sonia pitched for Telangana at CWC meet

The top Congress leadership, including party chief Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, had strongly pitched for the creation of Telangana at Tuesday’s Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi did not speak at the specially convened meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) but had given his approval to the idea earlier, said IANS quoting party sources.

According to the sources, the prime minister had said the decision “was required for the development of the entire Andhra Pradesh region”.

Sonia Gandhi, who opened the discussion, gave the historical perspective behind the issue, saying the election manifesto of the Congress in the 2004 Andhra Pradesh elections referred to the demand as well the common minimum programme of the United Progressive Alliance-I in 2004.

6.45 am: GJM calls for shutdown in Darjeeling after Telangana announcement

Hours after the UPA and the Congress Working Committee endorsed statehood for Telangana, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) announced an indefinite strike in the Darjeeling Hills from Saturday to press for its Gorkhaland demand.

GJM chief Bimal Gurung resigned as chief executive of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration – an autonomous and elected hill development council which the party has been running for a year.

“He (Gurung) today (Tuesday) faxed his resignation to the governor (MK Narayanan),” said GJM general secretary Roshan Giri to IANS.

With the hills already paralysed following a 72-hour shutdown called by his party since Monday, Giri said an indefinite shutdown will be organised from Saturday to raise the pitch for Gorkahland.

“We will go for indefinite shutdowns and our movement will not stop until our demand for Gorkhaland is met. We have already advised students to leave the hills and go to the plains,” he said.

“Once the present 72-hour shutdown ends on Wednesday, we will give a two-day respite to the people to stock provisions and the tourists and the students to leave. The indefinite shutdown will begin Saturday,” he said.

“We have called an emergency meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) where we will chalk out our strategy. The other GTA members will also resign soon,” he said.

“The UPA has allowed the formation of Telangana. Now we are left with no choice but to intensify our movement for Gorkhaland. Our demand for a separate state is far more older than Telangana,” Giri said.

— end of updates for 30 July —

10.15 pm Narendra Modi criticises Congress party’s action on Telangana in open letter

While welcoming any forward movement on Telangana, Modi also raised doubts over the “intent” of Congress-led UPA government over sticking to its stand on the issue this time around, citing repeated “dilly-dallying” in the past.

“Due to the power of people, Congress is forced to do in the last few days what it had shied away from doing in the last 9 years on Telangana,” Modi said in an open letter to the people of Andhra Pradesh.

“Instead of facing the people of Andhra Pradesh all these years, Congress hid behind committees and reports. Will they apologise to the people of AP on this”? Modi said addressing the people as “dear brothers and sisters from all regions of Andhra Pradesh.” You can read Modi’s full letter here.

He also alleged that Congress move was politically motivated as the next general elections were approaching soon.

21.50 pm K T Ramarao says Telangana bill should be passed easily

Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) MLA KT Ramarao says that,”The mood is hopeful and optimistic, but at the same time lot of observations coming in because we have been through this before. We are very cautious at this juncture, because we want the bill to be passed in the parliament and until that happens the people of Telangana are not in a mood to celebrate.”

He also believes that Telangana creation bill should be passed easily. He said, “BJP is already in support and the bill has to be passed with a simple majority. If just both the Congress and the BJP make up their minds, the bill can be passed with a big majority and with two-thirds majority in the house.”

20. 45 pm:  TRS president K Chandrashekhar Rao on Telangana

Rao in his first reaction says it is a victory for the people and the bill must be passed by Parliament.

He said, “Certainly I am happy, it represents the wishes of the people. Now bill has to be finally passed. We are happy. Fine with Hyderabad as joint capital of both state.”

Meanwhile Home Ministry officials have said that the new state could face increased Maoist activities as the rebels may take advantage of the process of creation of the new state which may take close to six months.

Home Ministry officials said Telangana, being the home of most of the top CPI(Maoists) leaders, could become easy target for the Naxals considering its close proximity with worst affected regions —Chhattisgarh’s Bastar and Maharashtra’s Gadchidoli. Read more on thathere.

20:25 pm: LK Advani says BJP would have formed Telangana but for alliance with TDP

BJP party LK Advani says that the BJP would have formed the state earlier but for its alliance with Telugu Desam Party in the state. Well, its safe to say, the party has no one to blame but itself.

He also said that the formation of the state was merely respecting the people’s wishes.

19:50 pm: AAP says they always backed Telangana, CPI says decision was delayed

The Aam Aadmi Party has welcomed the decision on Telangana and in a statement has said that it has always said that the decision on the formation of the new state needed to be taken at the earliest.

“It is too late, but however they finally took a decision,” D Raja, of the CPI said, on Telangana

19:40 pm: BJP says decision on Telangana is a victory of the people

The BJP has refrained from making any strong reaction to the decision and said they will read the Congress’ announcement before pointing out any shortcomings in the plan.

“Today’s announcement that the government has decided to form a new state of Telangana is a victory of the people…We salute the people,” Javadekar said.

He said that despite the fact that Congress had promised the new state in 2004, it had taken nine years for the decision to be made.

“This is a victory for the people of Telangana and until the state is formed we will continue to support the battle,” he said.

He said the BJP would watch the government’s moves to check whether the intention was to “back-stab” or form the new state.

19: 35: Trivia about Telangana

Did you know that Telangana translates as ‘Land of Telugus’?

Here are nine things you may not know about the newest state that may soon be created.

19: 30 pm: Expect TRS to join Congress, says Digvijaya

When asked what guarantee is there if there were early elections the formation of the state wouldn’t be delayed, Singh said “The question is too hypothetical.”

However, its a question many in Andhra Pradesh must also be wondering about presently.

When asked about a possible alliance with the TRS, Singh pointed out that the party had said that once Telangana is formed they will merge with the Congress.

“We will wait for their decision,” he said.

He also denied there were any political compulsions which forced the party’s hand.

“The decision hasn’t been taken because of any political compulsions,” he said.

19:25 pm: Formation of new state could take another four to five months

Digvijaya Singh expects the process of forming the new state to take four to give months.

He’s still trying to get the mediapersons to calm down, but he’s still getting questions in bunches.

The Congress leader said that presently only ten states would form the new state but if there were any other demands then it would be considered by the Group of Ministers.

19:18 pm: Digvijaya Singh says 10 districts to form Telangana, state approval not binding

Congress’ Digvijaya Singh, who is in charge of Hyderabad, clarified finally that only 10 districts from present day Andhra Pradesh will constitute the new state of Telangana.

The two districts of Rayalaseema seem to have been left untouched and will be a part of the Seema Andhra state.

Explaining the process of the formation of the state, Singh also said that it wasn’t binding on the Centre to get approval from the state government to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh.

19:10 pm: Hyderabad to be shared capital, Congress appeals for co-operation

Head of media department of the Congress Ajay Maken starts speaking, is interrupted. He takes the mike and continues.

“A resolution was passed in the Working Committee meeting,” he said

“It is resolved to request the Central government to take steps under the Constitution of India to form the separate state of Telangana,” Maken said.

He said that the Centre would have to create a mechanism to sort out matters related to, but not limited to sharing of river water, electricity, and ensuring the safety of people from the Andhra Pradesh region and guaranteeing them their basic rights.

The Congress spokesperson said the Centre will ensure that Hyderabad will be the common capital of the two states for 10 years and will put in place legal and administrative procedures for both states to function from it.

He said the Centre would also assist in building of new capital for the Andhra Pradesh state in 10 years.

“CWC acknowledges that the decision to form Telangana was not a easy decision,” he said, adding that it had been taken after a wide consensus was taken,

He said that the party had appealed to Congress activists and Telugu-speaking people to ensure the legislation was implemented at the earliest and took place peacefully.

18: 45 pm: Celebrations in TRS office, Hyderabad could be shared capital for 5 to 10 years

The formal announcement is expected shortly, but despite the controversy Hyderabad is expected to be the shared capital between the two states for upto 10 years, reports CNN-IBN. 

According to the report, 10 districts would form the new state of Telangana, leaving out the contentious decision of splitting the Rayalaseema region.

Meanwhile, as expected, the celebrations have begun for some.

18:40 pm: Kiran Kumar Reddy returns home

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy hasn’t resigned yet but isn’t waiting for the formal announcement either. He’s reportedly left for Hyderabad to monitor the law and order situation is the state, reports said.

18:35 pm: Its formal, Congress endorses creation of Telangana

The Congress Working Committee has officially endorsed the creation of the new state of Telangana. The decision was reportedly a unanimous one, reports CNN-IBN.

Now the ball is in the court of the Union cabinet. But we’re waiting to see what decision has been taken on Hyderabad and whether the two districts of Rayalaseema will be included in the state.

18:30 pm: CWC meeting ends, announcement of Telangana expected soon

The CWC meet has ended and according to reports the Congress is expected to endorse the creation of the new state of Telangana.

18: 15 pm: TRS says they will celebrate only after bill passed by Parliament

Harish Rao of TRS said the party will celebrate only after the bill is passed in Parliament and they will be cautious till then.

He said they don’t trust what the Congress party is saying because they have already gone back on their word many times in the past.

Rao said when Telangana is formed there won’t be any conflict with Seema Andhra and the focus will be remain on development. However, he wants complete clarity on Hyderabad as a capital and how the revenue will be divided between the two states.

18:10 pm: Rayalaseema MLAs to meet tomorrow to discuss possible resignations

Congress MLAs from Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh are to meet tomorrow to discuss their future course of action in the wake of UPA favouring the formation of separate Telangana.

“Yes, Congress MLAs from Rayalaseema (are meeting),” state Minor Irrigation Minister TG Venkatesh told PTI.

Among the issues that they will be discussing include whether the leaders from Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra should quit their posts over the Telangana issue.

18:05 pm: Special Cabinet meet tomorrow to discuss Telangana

A special meeting of the Union Cabinet has been convened tomorrow, apparently to discuss the issue of separate Telangana state, reports PTI.

Sources told PTI that a special Cabinet meeting has been convened tomorrow morning but did not disclose the agenda.

18:00 pm: Resolution on Telangana expected to be read out after CWC meet

Sources tell CNN-IBN that the Congress Working Committee resolution will be read out to the media after the meeting is over.

We could perhaps some details on the formation of Hyderabad and the state then.

17:45: PM arrives for Congress Working Committee meeting

The Prime Minister has arrived at the Congress Working Committee meeting where senior party leaders including party chief Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi are present.

The meeting is to start shortly and shouldn’t take too long to endorse the decision on Telangana.

However, like with every other issue, the devil lies in the details. In this case, about Hyderabad and the addition of two districts from the Rayalaseema region to the Telangana state.

17:40: YSR Congress accuses the UPA and Congress of indulging in political games

YSR Congress DA Somayajulu told CNN-IBN that the Congress is merely attempting to stem its political losses in the state by forming the new state.

17:35 pm: High excitement in Andhra Pradesh

An indication of the impact the decision is having in the state can perhaps be judged by regional media channels.

Regional television channel TV9 has started a countdown to Telangana, flashing clocks which say ‘T-time’ is at 5.30 pm, which is when the Congress Working Committee meet is expected to begin.

17:30 pm: TRS pleased with UPA decision, but says no compromise on Telangana

“We are happy about the UPA decision…However, we would like to wait till the bill is passed in Parliament,” Keshav Rao, senior TRS leader, toldCNN-IBN

“On the question of Hyderabad there is no question of any compromise. Hyderabad should be the capital of Telangana. We will accommodate others from the state only as long as the new capital of Andhra Pradesh is not built,” he said.

5:20 pm: Ajit Singh confirms that UPA has endorsed creation of Telangana

“At the UPA co-ordination meet right now the decision has been taken to form Telangana,” RLD chief and Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said.

He, however, refused to comment on how the issue of Hyderabad would be handled and whether two districts from Rayalaseema would be added to the new state.

“There are so many issues are to be sorted out but the decision to form the new state has been taken today,” Singh said.

5:15 pm: Twitter erupts with celebratory messages after announcement

5:05 pm: UPA coordination committee endorses creation of new state

If there  was to any opposition to the creation of the state of Telangana, its not coming from the UPA allies.

Reports state that all the allies of the Congress in the UPA have unanimously endorsed the creation of the new state of Telangana.

Perhaps this makes the Congress Working Committee meet just a formality now? The committee is expected to meet in about half an hour where it will pass a resolution accepting the creation of the new state.

So does the new state split the Rayalaseema region? Does Hyderabad become a shared capital for the two states? None of that is clear presently.

4:50 pm: UPA meet ends, no revelation about decision just yet

The UPA co-ordination committee meet has ended and the participants in the meet have left. However, none of them commented on the decision taken with regards to the formation of the new state.

However, CNN-IBN reports that a briefing is likely soon. Watch this space.

4:00 pm: UPA coordination committee meet begins

The UPA coordination committee meet at the Prime Minsiter’s residence has reportedly begun with the few remaining allies in the alliance expected to be briefed about the Congress’ decision on Telangana.

Given the PM’s alleged confiding in Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj, there may not be too much to say in the UPA co-ordination committee meet and is perhaps only giving the allies no excuse to say they weren’t taken into confidence.

3.15 pm: ‘Sushma congratulates PM over Telangana decision’

BJP Andhra Pradesh Chief G Kishan Reddy may have just given away the UPA government’s decision on the division of Andhra Pradesh.

Speaking to local media in Hyderabad, Reddy said Prime MinisterManmohan Singh called senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj and discussed the Telangana issue with her. Swaraj also informed the PM her party’s stance on a separate Telangana state.

The PM then informed Sushma of the decision the government was going to take later today, and asked for the BJP’s support in the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament, to which Sushma Swaraj congratulated Singh.

Given the BJP’s open stance on Telangana, this could hint at the fact that the Congress is likely to announce the formation of Telangana.

2.36 pm: Students protest in Vijaywada against division of state

Students from various educational institutions took out a rally here today to protest the proposed bifurcation of the state.

Over 3,000 students including girls from various colleges, under Joint Action Committee banner, led by its convenor and youth leader Devineni Avinash staged a ‘rasta roko’ near the Indira Gandhi municipal stadium in the city for over half-an-hour. Read more here.

Meanwhile, reports also said that Osmania University students are protesting against the proposal to add two Rayalseema districts to Telangana.

2.07 pm: Pallam Raju meets Sonia, asks her to take ‘responsible’ decision

Union Minister M Pallam Raju who is one of the Andhra MPs opposed to the creation of a seperate state for Telangana met Congress President Sonia Gandhi and asked her to take a ‘responsible decision’ on the issue. “We have expressed our concern, requested party high command to take a responsible decision”, he said shortly after the meeting.

Raju earlier dismissed rumours that he would resign over the formation of the state.

Meanwhile in other developments, TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao warned that Congress would meet severe resistance if Hyderabad is a shared capital.

1.22 pm: Don’t agree with division of Andhra Pradesh, says Omar

Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his discontent over the division of Andhra Pradesh saying it was dangerous to make new states based on agitations, and it was not a good precedent.

“Bundelkhand, Gorkhaland could be next. Such piecemeal reorganisation of states should not happen,” Abdullah told reporters.

“If people of Jammu agitate (do) we tell them after 10 years we will give you a separate state? I don’t agree,” the leader, whose party National Conference is a UPA ally, said.

12. 13 pm: Reports of resignation are ‘incorrect, baseless’, says Kirankumar Reddy

Andhra Pradesh CM N Kiran Kumar Reddy has denied reports that he has resigned in view of the Congress leadership’s decision to carve out a separate Telangana state.

The chief minister’s office has termed the resignation reports in a section of the media as ‘incorrect and baseless’.

However, Congress sources have not ruled out Kiran Kumar submitting his resignation if the party announces a decision to bifurcate the state. He has already conveyed to the leadership that he can’t preside over the state’s division.

If he quits, the party may either name his successor or bring the state under President’s rule to facilitate formation of Telangana state. – IANS

12.05 pm: Sonia meets PM ahead of crucial meet

Congress President and UPA Chief Sonia Gandhi has met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his official residence earlier today.

The Congress Working Committee will meet later in the day and is likely to declare Telangana as India’s 29th state.

12. 00 pm: Cong did not take us into confidence before deciding: BJP

Senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said his party was unaware of what decision the government will take on Telangana. “They have not taken us into confidence while taking this decision. We do not know what they have decided.”

Naidu further said that the BJP is in favour of dividing Andhra Pradesh into two states. “We are clear on the issue. We want Andhra Pradesh to be divided and Telangana to be a new state.”

11. 38 am: Andhra Pradesh Congress leaders to meet Rahul Gandhi

Congress leaders from Andhra Pradesh are likely to meet party Vice President Rahul Gandhi over the division of the state.

Media reports said that the leaders, who arrived in Delhi earlier today, will meet Gandhi at 12.30 pm. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh CM Kirankumar Reddy is also in Delhi and will meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

11. 25 am: No question of quitting over Telangana, says Pallam Raju

Union Minister for HRD Pallam Raju today said there was no question of him resigning from his post if the UPA government decided to divide the state of Andhra Pradesh.

“We are worried about it and that is what we have conveyed. Whatever decision they take will have long term implications,” he said.

11. 00 am: Andhra legislators in Delhi ahead of crucial decision

A group of legislators from Andhra Pradesh have met party in-charge Digvijaya Singh to strategise ahead of the UPA coordination committee meeting this evening.

Andhra Pradesh CM Kirankumar Reddy has also left for New Delhi where he is expected to meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi as well as top leaders of the party.

Reports have suggested that Reddy is still opposed to the division of the state and may tender his resignation if any such decision is taken by the Congress Working Committee.

10.20 am: Could Congress convert Telangana to Rayala Telangana?

There could also be a possibility of converting Telangana into Rayala Telangana. If such a decision is taken, then in both the regions there will be 21 Lok Sabha seats and 147 assembly seats. The inclusion of Kurnool and Anantpur is likely to reduce Jagan Reddy’s influence in Seemandhra.

9. 58 am: Sharing seats – the break-up of Lok Sabha and Assembly seats

CNN-IBN reports that Telangana will hold 119 Assembly seats, while Seemandhra will have 175. In terms of Lok Sabha seats, Telangana will have 17 while Seemandhra, the rest of Andhra, will have 25.

9. 45 am: How Andhra Pradesh districts are likely to be split

Andhra Pradesh currently has 23 districts in the state.

Of this, 10 will go to Telangana while the remaining 13 – nine from coastal Andhra and four from Rayalaseema – will go to Seemandhra, which is the rest of Andhra Pradesh, CNN-IBN reports.

8.20 am: Protests against Telangana likely to intensify today

With the UPA coordination panel and Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Delhi  to take a final decision on separate statehood to Telangana, the coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh are expected to see further protests.

Monday saw protestors including students, activists of political parties, employees and other sections of society laid siege to the houses of central ministers, MPs and state legislators, seeking their resignations for a united Andhra Pradesh, reported IANS.

Various groups took out rallies and organized meetings to also pressurise the central government to drop any move to bifurcate the state.

Protestors surrounded the camp office of central minister KS Rao in Eluru town of West Godavari district, demanding that he quit to mount pressure on Congress leadership to keep the state united.

A similar protest was held outside the house of another central minister D. Purandeswari in Visakhapatnam.

Students, employees, workers, teachers, lawyers and political activists took out a massive rally in Anantapur and laid siege to the house of Congress MP Ananta Venkatarami Reddy, demanding his resignation.

Most of the Congress leaders were either in Hyderabad or Delhi to discuss among  their strategy in the event of the leadership making an announcement  of a separate Telangana state.

7. 28 am: Pro-Telangana Cong MPs rush to Delhi, likely to meet party top brass

A group of Congress MPs and state ministers in favour of the creation of a separate Telangana state have rushed to New Delhi to meet top leaders of the party.

The state unit of the party is split over its support to the issue, with CM Kirankumar Reddy reportedly threatening to resign if a decision to bifurcate the state is taken.

7. 20 am: Protests against division of Andhra Pradesh

There were sporadic protests early Tuesday morning against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, a decision, likely to be taken by the Congress Working Committee later today.

7.00 am: 1,000 paramilitary forces rushed to Andhra Pradesh

The Union Home Ministry has rushed an additional 1,000 paramilitary personnel to deal with any situation arising out of a decision on Telangana.

PTI reports that the additional forces, along with the existing 1,200 paramilitary personnel, are expected to be deployed in Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions, where protests may erupt if the Centre takes a decision in favour of bifurcating Andhra Pradesh for creation of Telangana state.

File photo of Andhra Pradesh police officials cracking down on protesters. AP

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Tuesday is likely to give a go-ahead to the creation of Telangana state, a decision that could trigger protests from within the party amid a reported threat of resignation by Andhra Pradesh CM Kirankumar Reddy.

The CWC will meet at around 5.30 pm Tuesday evening a little after it has a discussion with its UPA allies. The decision, if taken, comes a little over a week before the Monsoon session of Parliament begins, where a bill related to the formation of Telangana will be brought before the House and passed.

The main issues now hampering the decision are whether Telangana should consist of just 10 districts of the region or should include a couple of districts from Rayalaseema and also, the issue of Hyderabad — to be capital of Telangana or to be a joint capital — has to be resolved.

One more issue could be whether to make Hyderabad a Union Territory for some years to prevent immediate problems.