Peace first, Telangana later

As expected, the all-party meeting called by Union Home Minister P Chidambaram at New Delhi on Tuesday to discuss statehood for Telangana ended without achieving any consensus among the political parties.

Chidambaram, who later went to meet the Prime Minister and apprise him of the outcome of the meeting, is expected to make a statement in the evening. “It was a good meeting and everybody expressed their views. It is quite clear that views of political parties are divided. I summed up their views and will take them to the Prime Minister and formulate course of action,” Chidambaram told the media after the meeting.

He said the political parties were keen on completing the consultation process within a specific time frame. “I appeal to state government and political parties to maintain peace. Political parties are not opposed to the idea of a mechanism being put in place. All political parties have decided there will be further consultation on this issue," added the Home Minister.

The only consensus achieved at the meeting was on achieving peace, harmony and law and order in the State. The parties then signed a joint statement which read: “We representatives of eight recognised political parties of Andhra Pradesh attended the meeting convened by the Home Minister. We have expressed our views at the meeting and they have been noted by the Central Government. Meanwhile, it is our earnest appeal that peace, harmony and law and order should be maintained in the state.”