HYDERABAD: Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy has admitted that there is Telangana sentiment but only in few pockets and that the Congress was seized of the issue. It wants to address the problem in such a way that no new complications would arise. Speaking at a Meet-the-Press programme organised by the AP Union of Working Journalists today, the Chief Minister said if the process (of finding solution) gets delayed, no harm would be done as the Government would lay emphasis on development, education, welfare and health care sectors.

He said some political parties were trying to exploit whatever sentiment is there for their gain and wondered whether Telangana would have become an issue at all had TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao been given a berth in the Chandrababu Naidu’s cabinet in 1999. To a question if 2009 elections has given the answer to Telagnana issue since the Congress won 50 Assembly and 12 Lok Sabha seats, Reddy said:``I don’t think so. The elections have proved that the people of Telangana have faith in Congress. It is our duty to solve their problems,’’ he said.

Replying to a query, he ruled out creating a Deputy Chief Minister’s post to accommodate a person from Telangana region in accordance with the Gentlemen Agreement. ``It (Deputy CM post) is not an important issue now,’’ he noted. With regard to mobilisation of funds for implementation of various developmental and welfare schemes, Reddy said ``Allocations have already been made for ongoing projects. Of course there is a slowdown but money won’t be a problem. The State Government would try to get more funds from the Centre especially for infrastructure and irrigation projects. Besides, the Government would bring pressure on th Centre to declare Polavaram and Pranahitha as national projects.’’

Hyderabad Press Club president GS Vasu, APUWJ president Somasundar, members of Jawaharlal Nehru Housing Society, AP Electronic Media Association etc. handed over cheques to Rajasekhara Reddy towards the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF).