'Cong, Centre mishandled Telangana issue'

The CPI(M) today accused the Congress and the Centre of "thoroughly mishandling" the Telengana issue that has led to "tension and conflict" in Andhra Pradesh and demanded immediate start of consultations to restore peace and normalcy.

The CPI(M) on Saturday accused the Congress and the Centre of "thoroughly mishandling" the Telengana issue that has led to "tension and conflict" in Andhra Pradesh and demanded immediate start of consultations to restore peace and normalcy.

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"The Congress party and the central government have thoroughly mishandled the issue that has resulted in the current rise of tensions and conflicts," party leader Sitaram Yechury told reporters in New Delhi.

While the Centre has said it would start talks with all parties and civil society, "no modalities have been worked out yet as to when and how the talks will proceed," he said.

"It is the responsibility of the Congress to work for restoration of normalcy," he said, adding the Centre "must begin this process immediately to restore peace and normalcy in the state."

Asked about the possibility of the setting up of a second States Re-organisation Committee, Yechury said it was "absolutely unnecessary as it will disturb the linguistic basis for the organisation of states in the country."

The issue was on Saturday discussed at the meeting of the CPI(M) Politburo which later issued a statement saying "linguistic reorganisation of states constitutes the bedrock of India's federal polity that should not be disturbed."

It condemned the "wanton destruction" of property and attacks on political leaders and appealed to parties and civil society to exercise restraint and work together to restore normalcy.