Wednesday, September 20 2006 16:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh could come for a pat on the back while Maharashtra could have to do a lot of explaining over the issue of farmers suicides at the Congress Chief Ministers Conclave being held at Nainital later this week.

Congress sources said that the Y S Rajsekhar Reddy Government in Andhra Pradesh has managed the situation well on the issue which has drastically brought down incidents of farmers taking the extreme step.

Similar was not the situation in neighbouring Maharashtra whose backward Vidarbha region is still witnessing suicides despite a visit by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and announcement of a financial package.

Karnataka and Kerala, which have also witnessed such incidents, are no longer Congress ruled states.

The two-day meet from September 23, to be presided over by Congress president Sonia Gandhi with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and some senior ministers by her side, is expected to reflect on problems confronting the agricultural sector.

The issue of internal security would also come up for deliberation at the meet where Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil is expected to make a presentation.

It could be double whammy for Maharashtra at the Conclaveas its record on prevention of terrorist activities could be called to question in the wake of the Mumbai serial blasts and the Malegaon blasts.