The Union Home Ministry has announced the initiation of a consultation process on the Telangana issue by convening a meeting here of eight recognised political parties of Andhra Pradesh on January 5.
Home Minister P. Chidambaram has sent the invitation for the meeting to the Congress, Telugu Desam Party, Praja Rajyam Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, Telangana Rashtra Samithi and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen.
A Ministry statement expressed “satisfaction” that the bandh called by the Telangana Joint Action Committee in some districts of Andhra Pradesh “passed off peacefully” on Wednesday.
The all-party meeting follows a statement by Mr. Chidambaram on December 23 and the subsequent demand by parties seeking clarity and removal of ambiguity (on the formation of a separate State) in that statement.
On December 23, Mr. Chidambaram said “a large number of political parties are divided on the issue [Telengana]. There is need to hold wide-ranging consultations with all political parties and groups in the State. The Government of India will take steps to involve all concerned in the process.”