T Cong Leaders to Meet Azad Again Today

The Telangana Congress group that is currently engaged in a formal dialogue with Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad in Delhi, is again going to meet him today (27-07-11). In yesterday's meeting Mr Azad reportedly enquired with the leaders whether they could show him any "firm" or positive statement either by the Congress or the government on Telangana. The T group leaders showed him the policy statement of the late CM YS Rajaselhar Reddy on February 12, 2009 made on the floor of the House declaring, "Government of AP in principle is not against the formation of T-state."

Mr Azad asked the leaders about every statement that was made on Telangana and what followed each time a statement was made. He also sought information on sharing of state revenues, liabilities in the event of division of state including sharing of river waters and electricity. The T group has promised to give him a powerpoint presentation on Wednesday morning, during the second round of talks. When the issue of sharing of revenues, etc. came up for discussion, Mr Azad also sought their opinion on status of Hyderabad. The leaders told him in one voice that they have no objection if there is a common capital for both the states for a long time till Seemandhra state people build their own capital.

Mr Azad also pointed out the objections of Seemandhra people that Hyderabad accounted for 56 per cent of the total revenues of the state, and they want a pro rata share of revenues generated from Hyderabad to Seemandhra state in case of bifurcation. Seemandhra people's contention was that Hyderabad's enviable revenues was due to them. This argument was turned down by the T-Congress group who told Mr Azad that only seven per cent of Seemandhra people lived in Hyderabad. "When Andhra people left Madras, was there any share provided from Madras revenues?" the T group asked.