Unflinching from its resolve to pass the Telangana Bill, the UPA government has decided that the Lok Sabha will be debating the issue for four hours on Tuesday during which Congress president Sonia Gandhi will likely explain what motivated the UPA to create the separate state.
Sonia personally requested BJP former president and Rajya Sabha member M Venkaiah Naidu to support the Telangana Bill. But being from ruling party, Seemandhra Union ministers Kavuri Sambasiva Rao, Pallam Raju and Purandeshwari reportedly met Advani.
They have sought his party's support for a financial package for the region after the state is bifurcated as planned. Sources say these Congress ministers were accompanied by BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu and the meeting lasted nearly 25 minutes was held at Advani's residence.
Sources say that Advani later briefed Sushma Swaraj and Jaitley on the demands raised by the Andhra ministers. What is surprising is that Union Cabinet ministers are seeking opposition support for the cause while analysts say some of them are all set to get a berth in BJP soon.
