Congress puts onus on state leaders

Hyderabad: The Congress-ruled federal government Tuesday distanced itself from a move to carve a new state out of Andhra Pradesh and asked leaders of the southern state to instead build a consensus as protests continued.

"Our stand is that a resolution to form Telangana must be introduced in the state assembly first," said Janardhan Dwivedi, a Congress party spokesman.

Resolution may fail

"The Congress is happy to support it after a consensus," said Shakeel Ahmad, another leader.

Experts said the Congress government in Andhra Pradesh was in a position to introduce a resolution in the state assembly only in the next scheduled session in February after the winter session was adjourned indefinitely following widespread protests.

The chances of a resolution paving the way for the formation of Telangana may be slimmer as nearly 180 lawmakers in the 294-member Andhra Pradesh state assembly are from coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema.

A two-thirds majority is required to pass the resolution. At least 138 lawmakers, including 80 from the Congress party, have resigned, although their resignations have not been accepted by the Speaker.

Any move to force the Telangana issue could see the state heading towards a mid-term poll, which would be a body blow to the Congress party and result in Congress losing seats.