Union HRD Minister M.M. Pallam Raju, who returned to his constituency on Monday amid tumultuous protests, said the formation of Telangana almost appeared inevitable, but he and others would make all efforts to prevent it and in the event of formation of Telangana, all efforts would be made to secure a fair deal for Seemandhra (coastal AP districts and Rayalaseema).

The Union Minister, who submitted his resignation over the issue, said he had protested against the decision of the Congress Working Committee and the Union Cabinet's approval to the Telanagana note, but to no avail. “After the decision of the CWC, a spontaneous agitation of the people rocked the coastal districts and Rayalaseema. The Antony Committee was appointed and even before the committee submitted its report the matter came up before the Union Cabinet. In spite of our protests, it was approved. It is most unfortunate,” he remarked.

However, he said, he and other integrationists would strive till the last minute to stop the formation of Telangana, but it seemed to be a losing battle. “We will, however, do our best to see that the group of ministers appointed by the Union Government considers all the issues raised by AP NGOs and other sections and justice is done to Seemandhra. We will secure a fair deal,” he promised the NGOs.

Later, at a press meet, Pallam Raju was asked whether he would vote against the Telangana bill if it was against the interests of the Seemandhra region, or even otherwise, and he did not give a direct reply. “I will cross the bridge when I come to it,” he said.

He also said that the party bosses had told him that one of the reasons why the Congress party had taken a decision in favour of Telangana was that all the major parties had given a consent letter and only a few such as the CPI (M) had opposed it.

>sarma.rs@thehindu.co.in

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