Still against Andhra split,says Reddy

Reddys decision to attend the meeting was seen as an indication of him coming around as he had not been communicating with the central leadership ever since the party took the decision in favour of the bifurcation.

However,he told reporters Saturday,I have not changed my stance. I am not convinced. Sources said he reiterated his opposition in the meeting as well,arguing that the party will have to pay dearly in the Seemandhra region if it went ahead with the bifurcation.

The CM said he was not against the sentiments of the people of Telangana,but that there were several issues like employment and the status of Hyderabad,which are yet to be resolved.

Union HRD Minister M M Pallam Raju,who too has opposed the division,said he,along with 5 crore Telugu people,was unhappy with the pace at which the bifurcation was being carried out. I am not comfortable with the pace at which it is going. There has to be a proper way if the bifurcation is happening, he said.

Sources said union ministers who were opposed to the division have now reconciled with the fact that the split is inevitable and are proposing that Hyderabad be made a common administered territory.