AP ministers to meet Sonia on Telangana issue

Andhra Pradesh ministers hailing from Telangana, who have sent in their resignation letters to party chief Sonia Gandhi, will meet her in Delhi on Monday and seek a clear time-frame for the creation of a separate state.

They have also sought an appointment from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, according to one of the 13 ministers.

"We will meet Gandhi's political secretary Ahmed Patel, Defence Minister A K Antony and other senior All India Congress Committee leaders and seek a clear statement on the formation of Telangana state," he said.

Meanwhile, Congress Members of Parliament, Members of Legislative Assembly and Members of Legislative Council from Telangana region, who too have put in their papers on the statehood issue, have urged main opposition Telugu Desam Party to reconsider its stand and join the Joint Action Committee spearheading the agitation for a separate Telangana state.

Former home minister K Jana Reddy said the Congress would play a key role in the JAC. "It is our responsibility to prevail upon our party high command and ensure the formation of Telangana state," Jana Reddy asserted.

"We are confident that we shall achieve statehood for Telangana soon," he added.

He, however, denied that a 'deadline' has been set by them for the Centre on the creation of Telangana state. The former home minister appealed to the people to carry out the agitations in a peaceful manner.

"Please do not cause any destruction to public and private properties. Also, do not damage the statues of eminent leaders," he said. He added that there would be no bandhs till the JAC gave a fresh call based on the situation.