Hyderabad: The 82nd AICC plenary will not discuss the Telangana statehood issue at all as it is not even listed on its agenda. Any reference to Telangana could at best be made by the State's leaders vis-a-vis its development, as distinct from statehood for the region, a demand raised by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS).

Making this clear in an interview to The Hindu here on Wednesday, APCC president K.Keshava Rao said Defence Minister Pranab Mukherji who heads the UPA sub-committee on Telangana had indicated that the party would express its views on the issue at the plenary. But, beyond Mr. Mukherji's statement, little could be expected in the form of a resolution.

No change in stand

The party's rules clearly laid down that for any resolution to be included in the agenda for the plenary had to be submitted at least one month before the event. "Since nothing of this sort has been done, there is no question of adopting a resolution," he added. Mr. Keshava Rao said there was no change in the Congress party's stand on Telangana. It had been consistent in reiterating the party's sympathy for the cause. "Our understanding with the TRS is confined to considering the plea for constituting a second States Reorganisation Commission (SRC). The UPA sub-committee is seeking the opinion of all political parties in the country on this issue. Any decision will be taken only through consensus. In its absence, the debate on Telangana will be confined only to its development," he explained.

Referring to the strident stance of the Central Steering Committee (CSC) member G. Venkataswamy and other party leaders that separate Telangana was not possible under the UPA, he did not agree with the suggestion that this was an orchestrated campaign. "At the same time, our statements have not been disapproved by the high command," he said.

Further, the raison d'etre of all such demands was the underdevelopment of the region and hence the emphasis on development of all regions, he added.

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