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Centre says no Telangana for now, TRS calls for 48-hour shutdown
The Centre appeared to put the issue of carving a separate Telangana state out of Andhra Pradesh on hold on Wednesday, following the breakdown of the political consensus that had encouraged it to initiate the process. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi responded by announcing the resignation of its MPs and MLAs, and a 48-hour bandh in the region from today.
The Centre appeared to put the issue of carving a separate Telangana state out of Andhra Pradesh on hold on Wednesday, following the breakdown of the political consensus that had encouraged it to initiate the process.
The Telangana Rashtra Samithi responded by announcing the resignation of its MPs and MLAs, and a 48-hour bandh in the region from Thursday.
Without outrightly rejecting the demand for Telangana, home minister P. Chidambaram stressed the need for wide-ranging consultations with all stakeholders on the issue.
The minister buttressed his argument by citing the “altered” situation in the state, which has seen violent protests in the coastal and Rayalseema regions after his December 9 statement on initiating the process for forming Telangana state.
“…after the (December 9) statement, the situation in Andhra Pradesh has altered,” Chidambaram said.
“A large number of political parties are divided on the issue. There is a need to hold wide-ranging consultations with all political parties and groups in the state,” the minister said.
Both the pro and anti-Telangana Congress MPs welcomed the statement.
