The congress leadership is likely to announce its stand on Telangana issue around Nov 5 after the Diwali festival, according to media reports from Hyderabad and Delhi. By that time, the Congress will also seek the stand of the UPA Government partners on the issue.

Immediately after the festival of lights, congress party will convene its working committee meeting to discuss reports submitted by the Union Finance Minister Mr Pranab Mukherjee and the party’s earlier resolution on the smaller states.

Reports said the Government will also take proper security precautions in the state before announcing its stand on the issue of Telangana to deal with any possible law and order problem.

After formalizing its stand on the issue, the congress leadership will appoint a sub-committee to discuss the issue with UPA partners. After that, Home Minister Chidambaram will convene all party meetings at both national and state level to elicit the opinion of other parties.

Sonia Gandhi to seek consensus

Party president Sonia Gandhi was said to have commented at a recent core committee meeting that no hasty decision should be taken on the issue by the party and the Government on Telangana.

She has asked the core committee to involve all political parties before announcing a decision on the issue. “Let us not get the blame for any decision we take,” she reportedly commented.