AP Congress leaders pin hopes on Azad

NEWDELHI: The pros and cons of the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh were discussed at the meeting of the Congress Core Committee on Friday, following AP party incharge Ghulam Nabi Azad’s report on the situation to party chief Sonia Gandhi. Azad briefed the committee and a resolution on the issue will take some more time as it has to be an inclusive solution, according to sources. There are certain misgivings about the bifurcation of the State within the Telangana region and more so from the other two regions.Many Congress leaders from all the regions in the State, who are camping in the national capital and stuck to their stated positions, are hopeful of a favourable report from Azad. Azad, who started consultations with party leaders from all the regions, had concluded the process on Wednesday.Meanwhile, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said that one important stage of the consultation seemed to be  over on Friday. “I hope that the other parties will make up their mind quickly as I appealed in Parliament to enable me to call an all-party meeting.” He said four political parties of Andhra Pradesh are yet to make their decision on Telangana.“TDP and MIM are waiting to see what the decision of the Congress party would be. YSR Congress has not indicated its mind either. I am trying to hasten the process as much as I can, but as you know these are matters concerning political parties and only so much one can do from the government,” he added.To a question on the ongoing strike in Andhra Pradesh, Chidambaram said the continuation of such protests would only inconvenience the people and hamper economic activity. He said: “My appeal is that while the protestors have certainly made their point, continuation of any strike or rail roko or rasta roko cripples economic activity and enormously inconveniences the people.”