Telangana issue: PM talks with Cabinet colleagues, to issue statement

New Delhi, Dec 22 : The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh is at present holding a discussion on the Telangana issue with his cabinet colleagues, and the Central Government is most likely to issue a statement on Tuesday on the same.

The Core Group of the Congress party has also met to discuss the issue.

Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assured delegation of MPs from Coastal Andhra and the Rayalaseema region that he would come out with a solution over the issue by Tuesday.

Apprehensive over the Telangana issue, the delegation met the Prime Minister and urged him to take a firm decision in the matter.

Union Ministers Panabaka Laxmi and Subbirami Reddy were among the MPs, who met the Prime Minister.

One of the delegates, K S Rao said on Monday that the people of coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema were worried after Home Minister P Chidambaram announced that the process for the formation of the Telangana State has begun.

The Centre''s decision to initiate the process for the formation of the Telangana State has stirred a hornet''s nest, as various political outfits in Andhra Pradesh have raised objections over the issue.

The Central Government has to consider consequences before making a final statement. The UPA government at the Centre is also under pressure from the pro-Telangana group of MPs and MLAs.

--ANI