Telangana state: Process to start next month

NEW DELHI: Official process for carving out a separate Telangana state is likely to begin next month when the Union Government plans to introduce a Bill in the Parliament to this effect, Telangana Rashtra Samithi leader and Union Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said on Sunday.

He said this assurance was given to him by Congress President Sonia Gandhi when he called on her on Friday. Rao told reporters that the statehood Bill is likely to be introduced after the Assembly elections to five states are over by the second week of May.

The TRS leader said there was 'tremendous pressure' from his party supporters to part ways with the UPA if the Centre did not concede to the statehood demand.

"Sonia Gandhi said that the Centre will act in May," Rao said and exuded confidence that the demand would be met soon.

Rao's meeting with Sonia came in the backdrop of senior BJP leader L K Advani's support for a separate Telangana state. Asked about Advani's support for the demand, Rao said "we need the support of all in pursuance of the demand". 

Criticising Advani's stand, Congress has said the saffron party's support to the demand for a separate Telangana was its "double speak and political opportunism".