Telangana Congress MP Mr Madhu Yashki Goud confirmed on Tuesday T congress leaders had conveyed to the high command that the TRS would merge with the congress party if Telangana state is formed.

Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Goud said the issue of merger was however not discussed in their talks with KCR. “Merger is not the immediate issue. The merger proposal is linked to the division of the state. If the congress party agrees to the formation of Telangana state, TRS will surely be merged with the congress,” said Goud.

However, Union minister and in charge of the congress affairs in AP Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ahmad Patel, political secretary to the congress president Sonia Gandhi, are reportedly insisting on the merger of the TRS with the congress first before announcing the decision on Telangana formation.

Azad and Ahmad Patel are not keeping any confidence on the words of T congress leaders that the TRS would merge with the congress once the congress agrees for the formation of Telangana state.

“Merger must come first. Then only formation of T state will follow. Otherwise, what is the use?” Azad and Patel seem to have asked.

Added to this, some senior Seema Andhra congress leaders have pointed out to the high command that TRS only will rule the roost in Telangana irrespective of the Telangana formation.  “Whether Telangana is formed or not, TRS will not allow the congress to survive in the region as KCR is now calling the shots and his word will prevail. Again, congress may have to feel the wrath of the people in Seema Andhra if Telangana is given,” they have reportedly told the high command.

In such a situation, the congress will lose in both states and because of this, the high command is insisting on the merger of the TRS first before announcing the formation of Telangana state.

TRS leaders worried

Some TRS leaders are said to be worrying of their political future in Telangana in case the party is merged with the congress. Keeping this in mind, TRS leader Harish Rao categorically ruled out the merger of their party with the congress irrespective of the division of the state while another leader Vinod Kumar said such issues are open for discussion.