This Article is From May 02, 2012

Centre waiting for consensus on Telangana issue: Chidambaram

Centre waiting for consensus on Telangana issue: Chidambaram
New Delhi: Home Minister P Chidambaram today defended the government on the Telangana issue, saying the situation had changed "dramatically" after the Centre announced it would form the state and insisted the government was waiting for a consensus to emerge among all the stakeholder parties.

Referring to the demand from members that the Home Minister announce when the government is going to form Telangana, Mr Chidambaram said, "No Home Minister can make such statements.... Circumstances are well-known. Virtually every party is split on this issue."

He said two days before his much-talked about December 9, 2009 statement in Parliament, an all-party meeting had been held on Telangana. The Business Advisory Committee of the Lok Sabha had also discussed the issue on the same day.

"I made the statement on December 9, 2009 (on Telangana formation) in Parliament. But the situation changed dramatically within 24 hours," Mr Chidambaram said, adding that the parties which had a stake in the matter, including Congress, changed their stand.

He further maintained that in the wake of these dramatic developments, he made a "revised statement" on December 23, 2009.

The Home Minister said the Sri Krishna Committee report recommendations will be considered in deciding the road map for a separate state. He insisted that only when the eight parties, which have a major stake in formation of Telangana, take a view some progress can be made.

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) member Namo Nageshwar Rao and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi disrupted Mr Chidambaram's speech a couple of times and insisted that the government look into their demands. Mr Rao asked the Hom e Minister to clarify the government stand on Telangana and clear the air about when it will form a view. Mr Chidambaram tried to pacify these members and assured them that the Congress will take a view soon.

Taking dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members who also tried to intervene, he said their party hardly had a stake in Telangana but the eight parties which are major stakeholders and it is important that they reach a consensus.

"I can't blame them if they take more time. Their stake is greater," he said.

Mr Chidambaram also pointed out that senior BJP leader L K Advani had written a letter on April 1, 2004 stating that Telangana should not be formed.

"But you have a right to change your view," he told the BJP members.

There has been repeated disruption in the Lok Sabha over the Telangana issue in this session. Last week eight Congress MPs from Telangana were suspended from Lok Sabha for four days for repeatedly disrupting proceedings on April 24. Members of the Telangana Rashtriya Samiti (TRS) have also been protesting in Parliament, demanding a final stand on the issue.
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