Hyderabad:
There is no question of going back on the decision to create a separate Telangana state, the ruling Congress today asserted in the face of a brewing rebellion in Andhra Pradesh.
Of the 37 ministers in the state's Congress government, 14 have threatened to resign this evening, according to sources, to protest against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.
The ministers - mainly from the coastal Andhra region which was opposed to a separate Telangana - say they will protest until the Congress leadership reviews their decision.
But Congress leaders in New Delhi ruled out any rethink. They are now flying in several Congress leaders to Hyderabad to mediate, including Thirunavukkarasu, one of Digvijaya Singh's four assistants on the Andhra Pradesh beat.
Digvijaya Singh, who is the Congress general secretary in charge of the state asserted today: "There is no question of going back on Telangana. We appeal for peace and calm."
"The party has made a decision. I know they are agitating but it is their democratic right to agitate," said Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde.
Along with the ministers, nearly 30 state legislators from the Congress are expected to quit this evening. But unless the Governor calls on Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy to prove his strength, the crisis is likely to be circumscribed to a Public Relations nightmare.
Though the Andhra Pradesh Assembly is meant to give feedback on the resolution and legislation to create Telangana, the Centre has made it clear that their suggestions are not binding.
Residents and leaders of Telangana, which includes the IT hub of Hyderabad, have been ecstatic with the fruition of a five-decade-long movement for statehood, the other two regions of the state, coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema say they have been betrayed.
The government said on Tuesday that Telangana would become India's 29th state, a process that's likely to take six months.
Protests were held yesterday and today outside the homes of ministers in the state and union government.
The Chief Minister, who is from Rayalaseema, has told unhappy state legislators and ministers from his party, that like them, he was not happy with the Centre's decision, but urged them to accept the new plans.
Hyderabad will be a shared capital for the next 10 years, the Centre has said. After that, Telangana will keep Hyderabad and a new capital will be assigned to Andhra Pradesh.
Of the 37 ministers in the state's Congress government, 14 have threatened to resign this evening, according to sources, to protest against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.
The ministers - mainly from the coastal Andhra region which was opposed to a separate Telangana - say they will protest until the Congress leadership reviews their decision.
But Congress leaders in New Delhi ruled out any rethink. They are now flying in several Congress leaders to Hyderabad to mediate, including Thirunavukkarasu, one of Digvijaya Singh's four assistants on the Andhra Pradesh beat.
Digvijaya Singh, who is the Congress general secretary in charge of the state asserted today: "There is no question of going back on Telangana. We appeal for peace and calm."
"The party has made a decision. I know they are agitating but it is their democratic right to agitate," said Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde.
Along with the ministers, nearly 30 state legislators from the Congress are expected to quit this evening. But unless the Governor calls on Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy to prove his strength, the crisis is likely to be circumscribed to a Public Relations nightmare.
Though the Andhra Pradesh Assembly is meant to give feedback on the resolution and legislation to create Telangana, the Centre has made it clear that their suggestions are not binding.
Residents and leaders of Telangana, which includes the IT hub of Hyderabad, have been ecstatic with the fruition of a five-decade-long movement for statehood, the other two regions of the state, coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema say they have been betrayed.
The government said on Tuesday that Telangana would become India's 29th state, a process that's likely to take six months.
Protests were held yesterday and today outside the homes of ministers in the state and union government.
The Chief Minister, who is from Rayalaseema, has told unhappy state legislators and ministers from his party, that like them, he was not happy with the Centre's decision, but urged them to accept the new plans.
Hyderabad will be a shared capital for the next 10 years, the Centre has said. After that, Telangana will keep Hyderabad and a new capital will be assigned to Andhra Pradesh.
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