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Consensus within Andhra must for Telangana: home ministry tells Parliament
After committing a decision on Telangana two months back, the government has yet again pushed the controversial issue into the cold storage.
After committing a decision on Telangana two months back, the government has yet again pushed the controversial issue into the cold storage.
Consensus within the State is a must for Telangana to be created, the home ministry has told Parliament on Wednesday.
"The government moves in the matter (creation of new State) only when there is a broad consensus in the parent State," minister of state for home RPN Singh has told the Lok Sabha.
While Telangana groups are stepping up the pressure in demand of separation, the other two regions - Costal Andhra and Rayalaseema remain opposed to division of the State.
Pro-Telangana parties have been demanding a bill on Telangana in Parliament.
But the assertion shows the government is in no hurry.
"Government takes a decision on formation of new State after taking into consideration all relevant factors," Singh said.
Interestingly, Singh's reply was to a question from Professor Saugata Roy, MP from the Trinamool Congress whose government in West Bengal is facing the demand of Gorkhaland. The Gorkhaland agitators have hinged their separation demand on a decision on Telangana.
"Creation of any new state has wide ramifications and direct bearing on the federal polity of our country," the MoS reply said.
Meanwhile, the Telangana Congress MPs who, protesting the delay on Telangana had sent their resignations to the party President Sonia Gandhi attended the session.
"If the Centre could not take a decision, then it better not commit any deadline," one AP minister from Telangana region told HT.
Following an all-party meeting on Telangana on December 28, home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde has committed a decision on separation within a month. Though the deadline lapsed on January 28, the government's hectic parleys and hints including one from Congress spokesperson P C Chacko indicated that the Centre could be veering towards Telangana.
