Sonia’s return from US to speed up T state formation!

Defence Minister A.K. Antony, who is heading the four-member high level committee constituted by the Congress High Command to examine the concerns of the Seemandhra people by holding consultations with political leaders, government employees and various sections of the people from the Seemandhra region, is expected to call on Sonia Gandhi later in the evening and apprise her of the outcome of his consultations. He also likely to submit a report about his findings’ especially with regard to the claims and counter claims being made over the status of Hyderabad.

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde had recently hinted that two of three options were before the central government for consideration regarding the status of Hyderabad. While the CWC announcement on July 30 suggested for making Hyderabad a joint capital of Telangana and Seemandhra states for 10 years, there was stout resistance for the same from the Seemandhra people and leaders. However, the idea of making Hyderabad a Union Territory was mooted subsequently by some sections, which of course was vehemently opposed by the Telangana protagonists. Thus the status of Hyderabad has become a knotty problem in the already contentious issue of Telangana state.

The AICC President, who is determined to put an end the prolonging Telangana issue once and for all, is also aware of the unprecedented upsurge in the Seemandhra region where the administration has come to a stand still and normal life paralzed for the last 43 days with the people from all walks a of life taking to streets demanding the state to remain united. Thus amidst the prevailing turmoil in both the regions of the state, Sonia Gandhi is expected to weigh the pros and cons of her anxiety to carve out a separate Telangana state by gathering all the inputs from intelligence sources as well as her own confidants before making the required changes in the cabinet note on Telangana.

According to informed sources the cabinet note on Telangana to be placed before the central cabinet might just contain a recommendation for carving out a separate Telangana state without mentioning anything about the status of Hyderabad. Thus by keeping the status of Hyderabad under suspense, the centre might be buying time for more discussions and consultations on this crucial aspect while at the same time ensuring that the process of forming a Telangana state continues without any delay.