On a day when Congress lawmakers from the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh tendered their resignation, the Centre on Monday said it has not taken a final decision on the “extremely sensitive and complex” issue of carving out a separate State of Telangana.
Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram appealed to the Congress MLAs, a Rajya Sabha MP and Andhra Pradesh Ministers from Telangana to be patient and allow the consultation process to continue.
“The Central government’s view will be made known after the consultation process is over. We have to bring everyone on board. There is a strong view of a large number of people. We are yet to take a final decision,” Mr. Chidambaram told journalists at a press conference here.
“This is an extremely sensitive and complex issue. One should have understanding and patience,” he said.
The Home Minister said the December 9, 2009 statement made by him was “not made by an individual but made on behalf of the Government of India.” It had stated that the Centre would initiate the process for the formation of a separate Telangana State. However, the Centre made another statement on December 23 which stressed that more consultations are needed on the issue.
“When you refer to my statement on December 9, 2009, you should also refer to the December 23, 2009 statement,” Mr. Chidambaram said while replying to a query.
“The MPs and MLAs had forewarned us on the issue that they would be obliged to offer their resignation on July 4. It is not that alarming. The Congress general secretary in-charge is talking to the MPs. He is in touch with the MLAs,” he said.
Replying to a question as to when the all-party meeting on the issue would be held, Mr. Chidambaram said that two of the parties have not yet finalised their views on the issue. He said the meeting would be called after the views of all parties became known. However, he did not name the two parties. “There are only eight recognised political parties,” he added.
On the other hand, the Congress said the party was not against the creation of smaller States including Telangana and that efforts were on by the Government to evolve a consensus on it. Responding to questions on the resignation of party MPs and MLAs on the issue, party spokesman Shakeel Ahmed said Telangana is both “sensitive and emotional” and hoped that an appropriate decision would be taken at an appropriate time.
Keywords: Telangana agitation, statehood demand, Srikrishna report
PC is the cause for all this turmoil. Telangana if given would mean nothing for the people, it will just be a loot by KCR and company...most of the OU students don't know what they are doing...it's their age....Congress should put an end to all this and make a decision.
People of Telangana are fighting for demerger of state since 1956, till now more than 600 people had sacrificed and now home minister wants more time.
The statement of P.Chidambaram shows that the Congress Party is not ready bend to the whims of T-Congress leaders, though 9 of its MPs and one Rajya Sabha Member resigned. Now we can say, the resignations of Telangana MLAs and MPs may not be accepted by both speakers of Assembly and Parliament. The MPs and MLAs know that their resignations will not be accepted by the speakers of both houses. Meanwhile, Mr.KCR and Prof. Kodanda Rama Reddy can be controlled by the local politicians. Of course Mr. KCR called for Bandh in Telangana for 48 hours without consulting any other political party, he can be controlled by the hue and cry by the T-Congress leaders.
This is the usual policy of the Congress - fool the people by making false promises. Since November 2009, there is no peace or progress in Hyderabad. All these bandhs and agitations have thrown normal life out of gear. Business and industry are the main sufferers. The student community is also suffering due to disruptions in their classes.Does the Congress high command realise all this. For the sake of power they are creating all this chaos.One thing is certain and that is Congress will never come to power in this state again.The people are totally fed up and newer forms of agitations may spring up leading almost to a revolution of sorts.
When is this dithering on the part of the Government going to stop? The Telangana Issue has been simmering for years.Not only has the momentum picked up,the proponents including the Congress MPs and MLAs have literally served an ultimatum. For the HM now to quibble on what he said earlier is,to say the least ludicrous.It would be interesting to see the resultant fireworks should the Speaker accept the resignations and the BSP and SP withdraw their support from outside.Of course it is too much to hope for,given the fact that the Speaker unofficially still owes her allegiance to the Congress.All this lackadaisicalness will turn into a flurry of activity.Do we need this drama at this stage when there are more serious issues confronting the government which need to be addressed on a war footing?
How long will it take to make a decision. The Congress government has failed in all fronts. They are incapable of taking tough decisions.First they promise Telanganath they renege on the promise constitute a useless committees under everyone they could think of including Srikrishna who came up bizzare solutions. How long will the Telangana people fight for a just cause without losing their patience is a moot point. One thing can be said with certiainity Congress has seen its best days in AP.
The government as per the statement of Dec 9, 2009 was ready to Initiate the process for the formation of Telengana . Then it said further' consultations'were needed as the issue was extremely ' sensitive' and 'complex'. Then came Srikrishna report which did not say anything categorical. Within the Congress party there is a growing voice for formation of Telengana. BJP is not against such a formation. There are precedents of formation of smaller states.how long this problem will be allowed to continue in the name of complexities, sensitivities, and consultations, when the problem has already assumed dangerous proportions? Is the government not sensitive to the aspirations of the pro-Telengana group? By postponing, the volatility will alone increase and the government, already under siege for non governance due to scams-propelled Lokpal bill issue, will be packed home, lock, stock and barrel for the ineptitude in handling any issue that comes before it.
What is complex and sensitive about the issue, other than making delay without a decision from the centre? The centre should fulfill aspirations of the people, and the elected members from the regions have whole heartedly supporting the formation of a new state. It is simple and straight forward thing for the center to take a formal decision and close the issue once for all. Also, UTs are not required anymore; they should be attached to the nearby states for administrative purposes.
Still in the process of taking views!! Wake up Mr.PC you don't have a life time to decide on this issue
The time has come to have a policy on carving out new states without bowing to the pressures of politicians for the sake of administrative convenience and economic growth. If the quality of politician is not changed, carving out more states would give employment opportunities only to politicians and their sons, but not definitely to the people of this country.
The December 9, 2009 statement is wrong because it clearly indicates that the government will divide the state and December 23, 2009 statement simply implies the shape and implementation process of the division. A responsible government minister cannot make midnight stements such as the PC made.
Congress is making the same mistake again by trying to put this in to cold storage and hoping the problem will go away. It can no longer dodge the issue by saying it is an highly sensitive and emotional issue. No one is disputing that. And the argument that a consensus is needed on the issue is ridiculous. What is needed is not consensus but majority support. That too in the region that wants to separate. Democracy does not work on the principle of consensus but rather on majority - subject to principles of natural justice. Asking for anything more would be a way of telling that we really do not want to solve the issue. Telangana would be better off if Congress tells that We no longer support the idea of bifurcating the state.
It is Chidambaram who is primarily responsible for this disatrous move for the vivisection of Visalandhra. Is'nt it high time for the Congress M.P's who oppose this, also resign?
Andhra Pradesh has been the strong bastion for Congress Party during YS Rajasekhar Reddy tenure and not any more.Jagan is going to clean sweep Rayalseema and Coastal Andhra Regions. COngress has no choice other than to save its face in Telangana.Congress' Wait and Watch led to the tension prevailing mode in the Region. Decisions cannot be taken sitting at Delhi Darbar.I request the Congress High Command to have a look at the burning of the Region. PLease do not let the situation go worse by delayed tactics.
It is alright to create a Telengana, provided, the Water sharing rights are agreed before the creation.
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