Hyderabad: Seeking to downplay internal rebellion by protagonists of Telangana statehood, president of Andhra Pradesh Congress D Srinivas on August 13 said his first priority was to ensure that party was brought to power to end the 'misrule' of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in the state and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre.

He said it was important for all party workers to first work for its victory as only Congress government could ensure justice to the backward regions including Telangana.

"I am for separate state for Telangana. There is no change in my stand. But our demand is within the purview of the party high command and we all will stand by its decision," he said in his first interaction with the media after taking the charge at 'Gandhi Bhavan', the party headquarters.

Stating that the party high command was seized of the matter, he exuded confidence that the issue would be sorted out soon.

While admitting that he was a signatory to a memorandum submitted to the high command by party legislators from Telangana a few months ago favouring statehood for the region, Srinivas, however, asserted that he did not support the idea of separate Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) for Telangana.

" I did not sign for separate PCC... What is of utmost importance now is to ensure that the party comes to power in Delhi and in Hyderabad. All other matters come later," he added.

PTI