Wednesday, July 20 2005 22:10 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Congress high command today (July 20, 2005) brokered an understanding for its Chief Minister in Andhra Pradesh with Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) on six issues concerning development of backward Telangana region but the crucial problem of separate State has been left to its President Sonia Gandhi.

The agreement came after a marathon meeting between Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao where AICC (All India Congress Committee) General Secretary Digvijay Singh was also present.

This is the first meeting between Reddy and Rao after TRS pulled out its six ministers from the Reddy ministry a fortnight ago.

Briefing reporters later, Singh expressed hope that the issue of resignation of six Ministers would be addressed in future consultations as the two sides have now succeeded in "breaking the ice" and holding the talks in a congenial atmosphere.

Singh said an understanding has been reached on the six issues and the communication gap between the two sides would be bridged.

The TRS chief, who was sharply critical of the Chief Minister till two days back, today spoke of Reddy being "very cooperative" and praised him for "showing interest" on issues concerning development of Telangana.

On his part, Reddy thanked Rao for "somehow coming closer to bridge the gap."

A joint statement issued after the meeting said that on the issue of Government Order 610, pertaining to rectifying the so-called anomalies in terms of employment in Government for people from Telangana, a Secretaries' Committee shall be constituted.

The committee would oversee implementation of the recommendations of a Commission, which went into the issue.

On the crucial issue of Naxalism, the two sides appealed to the Naxalites to resume talks within the framework of the Constitution.

"We shall submit to the Government of India a special package of poverty alleviation programme, purchase of land for distribution to the poor, connectivity, irrigation in the Naxalite affected areas," the joint statement said on the issue.