Congress appeals to pro-Telangana protesters to call off stir

The Congress today appealed to the pro-Telangana protesters in Andhra Pradesh to call off their five-week-old agitation in view of the hardships being faced by people in the festive season.

"There is a prolonged agitation in Telangana by employees of the state government. It is almost five weeks since it started. As a result, the general public is suffering...facing hardships particularly during the festival days.

"I would like to appeal to the employees of Telangana to call off the strike," Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is also in charge of Congress affairs in Andhra Pradesh, said today. Talking to reporters, he said the agitating employees should help the state government provide all facilities which are required for the general public.

Though not giving a timeline to resolve the Telangana issue, he said, "We would like to decide as soon as possible."