Decision on next meet on Telangana soon, no delay: Chidambaram

New Delhi, Jan 31 (PTI) A decision on the next meetingof political parties on the Telangana issue to hear theirfinal views will be taken in the next few days, Home MinisterP Chidambaram said today.

The much-awaited meeting of eight political parties ofAndhra Pradesh could not be held so far due to his variousengagements in last one month, including a visit to Davos toattend the World Economic Forum meeting and the Republic Day,.

he said.

"I intend to consult my senior colleagues and fix a date.

We will fix a date in the next few days," he said at a pressconference here.

Chidambaram said the meeting would give him anopportunity to hear the final views of the political partiesafter making available to them the full report of theSrikrishna Committee on the Telangana issue.

"It is necessary. When I said I will call the nextmeeting, they (the political parties who attended the Januarysix meeting) said yes, please call another meeting. Nextmeeting is necessary for them to give me their final views,"he said.

Asked whether all eight parties would attend the meetingas TRS, BJP and Telugu Desam Party did not attend the Januarysix meeting, the Home Minister said "I will invite all eightparties. I think you should advice all eight parties to attendthe next meeting".

On whether a final decision on the Telangana issue wouldbe taken in the next meeting, he said "I don''t know...that maybe decided in the next meeting....suppose we invite anothermeeting".

Chidambaram also dismissed suggestions that there was anydelay in holding the meeting.

"There is no reason for delay. Please remember that wehad Republic Day and I was away and now I am back. Thereforeno delay," he said.

The Home Minister avoided a question whether there is anytime-frame to decide the Telangana issue. (More) PTI ACB SKL