Eschew Telangana at meet, says PCC chief

State Congress chief appealed to leaders not raise the issue as the very mention of this sensitive issue might lead to clashes.

Published: 14th December 2012 08:02 AM  |   Last Updated: 14th December 2012 09:42 AM

By JR Prasad

PCC chief Botcha Satyanarayana is a worried man. The reason: Sunday’s brainstorming session might witness verbal clashes between separatists and integrationists in the party.

Following the statements of Telangana leaders that they would raise the Telangana issue during the meeting, the PCC president has intensified efforts to persuade them not to raise the issue. Botcha held a meeting with party MLAs and MLCs from Ranga Reddy and Hyderabad districts at Gandhi Bhavan here on Thursday in this regard. Ministers P Sabita Indra Reddy, J Geeta Reddy, D Sridhar Babu, Mukesh Goud and G Prasad Kumar also attended the meeting.

Sources said the state Congress chief appealed to leaders not raise the issue as the very mention of this sensitive issue might lead to clashes between T  and Seemandhra leaders.

“The issue is already under the perusal of the high command. The Centre is holding an all-party meeting on this issue on December 28. So it will be of no use discussing the issue at the state party meeting,” he said.

Botcha said the convention was being organised to discuss the ways to strengthen the party and asked the leaders to completely avoid the Telangana issue there.

“We have been asked to fill the venue, with these workers by the time of the commencement of the meeting at 10 am on Sunday. The idea is to prevent the hardcore Telangana leaders from north Telangana from participating in the meeting. ,” said a leader.