NORMALCY KEY FOR PROGRESS IN T-PARLEYS, SAYS PARTIES; SIGN ON JOINT STATEMENT

New Delhi: The only thing they agreed upon was that law and order had broken down in Andhra Pradesh and that there is an urgent need for restoring the same. Representatives of the eight recognised political parties who took part in the allparty meeting on Telangana here on Tuesday managed to issue a joint statement to this effect, but after that, went their own way in analysing the causes and solution to the vexed issue. Though there was no unanimity in the Congress on the T-issue , the two representatives representing the two regions kept under check their differences. They both said yes for further consultations, but differed on the time frame.

While Andhra representative Kavuri Sambasiva Rao said no time frame was discussed in the meeting, Telangana representative N Uttam Kumar Reddy said he had stressed on a time frame. In the end, both said they would wait for the decision of the Government of India on the matter. The TRS had no objection for further consultations but stressed on a time-bound process. The party representatives K Chandrasekhar Rao and K Jayasankar are of the opinion that no purpose would be served by a committee . They both were satisfied because none of the parties opposed the Telangana formation and all had only wanted thorough consultations on the issue.

The BJP strongly opposed further consultations and meetings and criticised the Centre for not having a clear policy on Telangana. The partys representatives Bandaru Dattatreya and K Haribabu urged the home minister to introduce the Telangana bill in the next session of Parliament and were of the view that committees and consultations were a ploy to delay the process.

The Prajarajyam party was happy that the Centre has at least decided to hold meetings with political parties on the issue. PRP representatives Chiranjeevi and C Ramachandraiah said they were for united Andhra Pradesh, but favoured setting up of a committee for further consultations.

The CPI felt the talks and consultations would delay the process. Party leaders K Narayana and G Mallesh expressed displeasure that the Congress was not revealing its stand on the issue and supported the creation of separate Telangana state. It opposed the setting up of a second SRC.

CPM representatives BV Raghavulu and Julakanti Ranga Reddy said there was a need for a committee to hold further consultations. However, both argued for early settlement of the issue as prolonging or postponing it would only create new problems.

(SOURCE : TOI)