Jaipal Reddy front-runner for Telangana CM's post

While Seemandhra simmers with pent-up rage over the division of Andhra Pradesh, supporters of Telangana have started celebrating the fulfilment of their long-cherished dream.

As they gear up to usher in a new state by December 9, speculations are rife that Congress leader Jaipal Reddy will take oath as the next chief minister of the newly-formed state.

“Reddy is the most acceptable leader for us. The Congress will need the support of the Telangana Rastriya Samiti to form the government in Telangana and Reddy is acceptable to both sides,” a Congress leader told rediff.com.

But the Congress high command, which has kept all its options open, is also considering other candidates ns for the top post including Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha, ministers Jana Reddy and Uttamkumar Reddy and party leaders D Srinivas and D K Aruna.

Jaipal Reddy, the strongest candidate for Telangana’s CM post, will have a tough task ahead if he is chosen by the Congress top brass. He will have to find a way to make peace with the opponents of Telangana.

The Group of Ministers set up by the government will submit its report on the formation of Telangana in five weeks, following which a bill approving the creation of a new state will be passed.

"We need to keep the pressure on till the bill sees the light of the day," said the Congress leader.

The party is already holding talks with the TRS about forging an alliance, but is likely to fight the forthcoming state and general election on its own.

Image: Supporters of Telangana celebrate ' Photograph: Snapsindia