Criticism of Telangana ToR dismissive and petty: Congress

Congress today said the criticism by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) of the terms of reference of the committee on Telangana was "casual, dismissive and petty" and backed the Central government on the issue.

"A well thought-out and crafted terms of reference (ToR) after detailed multi-level deliberations, including with independent chairman of the proposed commission cannot be hastily washed off and dismissed by those professing oblique political motive," party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said, commenting on the opposition to the ToR.

Asked about the remarks of TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao, who has been spearheading the Telangana agitation, that the "Centre has betrayed us once again", Singhvi said, "On the one hand you have detailed deliberations; on the other casual, dismissive and petty comments."

Government has announced a seven-point terms of reference for the Telangana committee, saying the panel will consult all sections of people in Andhra Pradesh, especially political
parties, on the demand of a separate state.

The ToR of the committee, which has been asked to submit its report by December 31 this year, has been slammed by the TRS as "mindless".