Will Telangana be formed with 12 districts?

The Group of Ministers that met in New Delhi has submitted the proposal to create a larger Telangana. This would mean that GoM is suggesting that the state be formed with 12 districts as opposed to 10, which was originally proposed.

Although the GoM has stated it is up to the Union Cabinet which originally cleared a 10- district Telangana to take a final call on the matter.

Many in Delhi were tightlipped about the developments and said that the Cabinet will come out with the final decision. The suggestion by the GoM does not bind the Cabinet.

During the meeting, there were deliberations on the issue and several ministers felt that Ananthpur and Kurnool be added to Telangana and a Raya-Telangana be formed. Although this may hurt the Congress initially, they feel that they would benefit in the long run.

However, sources said that Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde has opposed the idea and has said the original plan must be implemeted. He however sounded confident that Telangana with 10 districts will be formed as he said that they worked according to the Cabinet directive, which had proposed Telangana with 10 districts.

Shinde told the GoM that that they cannot change their stand now. Even the legal advise in this regard indicated the same. However, three ministers who are part of the GoM sought the inclusion of Ananthpur and Kurnool into Telangana. Although they felt that this would help the Congress, many felt that it would be a political suicide.

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi which has called for a bandh, say they are waiting for an official statement from the Congress.

“We cannot say anything until the last minute, a TRS leader told rediff.com. “The decision on the bandh has not changed for now, but we will wait and see,” he added.