GoM hold an 'inconclusive meet' on Telangana

New Delhi, May 18: A meeting of Group of Ministers headed by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, had an 'inconclusive' meeting here the evening to review the stands of the parties on the creation of Telangana State.

The meeting which lasted less than half an hour, also had the other two members of the GoM -- Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh and Communications Minister Dayanidhi Maran present.

While Mr Mukherjee and Mr Maran did not speak after the meeting, Mr Singh clarified that this was not the 'final meeting' of the GOM as a section of the media had reprorted.

Mr Singh said some major political parties, including the BJP, had not sent their response to the GOM on Telangana although the news reports said the saffron party is supporting the creation of the new state. "Let them make their stand known to us in writing," he added.

Other parties which were yet to submit their views include Biju Janata Dal, Shiv Sena, Janata Dal (United) and DMK.

The parties which have supported the creation of the new state include the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Nationalist Congress Party and Janata Dal (Secular) while the Telugu Desam Party, CPI-M and Forward Bloc have stoutly opposed the creation of Telangana.

The meeting was held in the backdrop of the pressure exercised by Telangana Rashtra Samiti leaders who have theatened to walk out of the Union Cabinet if the decision is delayed. The ruling Congress in Andhra Pradesh, which went to the Assembly polls with TRS promising creation of Telangana, has however, been opposed to creation leading to the TRS ministers walking out of the Congress-TRS coalition and sitting in opposition benches.

UNI