Chidambaram wants political parties to read Telangana report with 'open mind'

New Delhi, Jan 6 (ANI): Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Thursday urged representatives of political parties in Andhra Pradesh to read the Telangana report and the recommendations with an open mind.

During the meeting with eight recognized political parties in Andhra Pradesh, Chidambaram said: "I would urged you to read the report and the recommendations with an open mind and be prepared to persuade, and to be persuaded by, people who hold another point of view."

Handing over copies of the report to leaders of political parties, Chidambaram said: "It is Government's sincere hope that the report will generate an informed and mature debate."

Recalling the discussions on January 5 last year, which he said had showed the way forward-that findings, study, analysis, options and recommendations, Chidambaram said its is the government's hope that the discussions today will also show the way forward.

"I am sure that besides political parties, people of Andhra Pradesh-both individuals and groups-would also make valuable suggestions that will show the way forward," he added.

"You will note that I have repeatedly used the phrase 'way forward' today in order to reiterate government's intentions to find just, honourable and praticable solutions that has the widest measure of support among all stakeholders," he said.

Referring to the joint appeal made by the January 5 meeting to people of Andhra Pradesh to maintain peace and calm, Chidambaram said: "It had a salutary effect."

"It is necessary that peace, harmony and law and order should be maintained in the state. I would request you to join me at the end of this meeting to make an appeal similar to the appeal we made last year," he added.

Regretting the boycott of the meeting by TRS, TDP and BJP, Chidambaram said: "I deeply regret the stand taken by them. It does scant justice to the valuable work done by Justice Srikrishna Committee. Nevertheless, I propose to send a copy of the report to parties who have chosen to stay away."

Chidambaram further said it was natural that the parties would require some time to read the report and hold consultations within their organisations.

"Hence, if all of you agree, I suggest that we meet again on a convenient date later this month," he said, adding that I shall now request each political party present to give its views on how we should proceed further in the matter.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, Congress leaders K S Rao, Uttam Kumar Reddy, CPI (M) state secretary D V Raghavalu and party leader J Ranga, PRP leader C Ramachandraiah, Akrabdduin Owaisi and Syed Ahmed Pasha Quadri of MIM, K Narayana and G Malesh of CPI attended the meeting.

The report favours a united Andhra but also recommends several options to divide the state into Rayala-Telangana and Seemandhra or coastal Andhra.

The committee recommends Hyderabad, the main issue of contention, for Union Territory status. One of the options suggests that Hyderabad can be made the capital of Rayala-Telangana section of Andhra while the other Seemandhra can develop its own capital in due course of time.

Yet another option states that Hyderabad can be shared by both the states while they develop their individual capitals in due course.

The Telangana region consists 10 northern districts of Andhra Pradesh including Warangal, Adilabad, Khammam, Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, Rangareddy, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Medak and Hyderabad. (ANI)