Congress senior leaders expressed anger at the union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde for committing to settle the Telangana issue in a month and setting January 28 as the deadline for it. It is learnt that senior leaders like Azad, Vayalar Ravi and Ahmed Patel expressed anger at him for making such a hasty announcement without considering the future consequences, demands for smaller states in other states and the opposition UPA might face from its partners.

According to party sources, these leaders almost reprimanded Shinde in the presence of the Congress president Sonia Gandhi. They reportedly explained that the Telangana demand was linked to demands for separate states in other states and the law and order problems faced by smaller states like Chattisgarh, because of the Naxalite menace.

Shinde reportedly maintained silence for this onslaught. Sonia Gandhi who patiently heard the views of her colleagues, reportedly expressed the view that it was better to postpone the decision, instead of taking a hurried stand. It is learnt that she also said there was need for taking the views of the UPA partners.