New Delhi: The issue of a separate Telangana state was today discussed by Congress President Sonia Gandhi with senior party leaders, including union Ministers, amid growing demands for an early decision on the matter.

Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and also his predecessor P Chidambaram, who is now Finance Minister, were present in the deliberations. AICC general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad, who looks after the party affairs in Andhra Pradesh, was also present in the consultations along with Vayalar Ravi who is an old-hand in handling party affairs in Andhra Pradesh.

The issue of Telangana was discussed but there was no decision, a senior leader said. The meeting assumes significance as there is growing pressure on the party high command to take an early decision on the politically volatile issue which has divided Andhra Pradesh on regional lines. The Telangana issue was raised in Andhra Pradesh Assembly session today in Hyderabad when opposition Telangana Rashtra Samiti disrupted the proceedings demanding a resolution passed by the House seeking creation of the separate state.

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy ruled the passage of a resolution in the assembly but hoped the Centre would take an early decision on Telangana issue.