The conclusion of the first round of the all-party talks on the creation of a separate State of Telangana by Home Minister P. Chidambaram is a positive step. It will have a sobering effect on the volatile situation in Andhra Pradesh. The Centre must hold talks on a regular basis to create a congenial atmosphere in the State. It must honour its commitment to create a separate State for the people of Telangana, who have been fighting for it for over 50 years.
Jetling Yellosa,
Nizamabad
An all-party meet on Telangana should have been convened well before the announcement by the Centre that the process of forming a separate State would be initiated. But it acted in haste while TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao was on a fast.
Tuesday’s all-party meet did nothing except deciding to carry the discussions further. The inconclusive meet will only intensify the agitations. With differences on the Telangana issue existing in all major parties, the government will find it difficult to arrive at a decision.
S. Lakshmi Narayanan,
Cuddalore
The report that the all-party meet was divided on the Telangana issue is a pointer to the fact that the standoff among agitating parties may prolong for some more time, paving the way for anarchy in the State. It will not be wise to wait for a consensus because political parties have vested interests in the matter. The government can think of some other means — like a referendum — to settle the issue.
C. Petson Peter,
Kochi
There is a clear deadlock among the groups, peoples and political parties of the Andhra and the Telangana regions. Both sides should now realise that no solution which is entirely satisfactory to them can be worked out. The Centre can, at best, facilitate consultations and suggest a compromise; or, at worst, force a one-sided solution.
It would, therefore, be best if the warring groups evolved a compromise formula and then sought the Centre’s help to implement it. They should immediately call off their agitations as their aspirations have been heard. The pursuit of self-interests at the cost of others may bring some results but they will be bitter and will not be a reflection of true democracy.
Ramdev Gottipaty,
Hyderabad
The ongoing agitation for and against a separate Telangana has brought business in Andhra Pradesh to a grinding halt. There is no administration, no law and order and no control over the situation. Nor is there a visible possibility of the situation improving, looking at the stand taken by various political parties. It is evident that all leaders, from the gully to Parliament, are taking advantage of the situation.
With things going from bad to worse, television news channels — with a few exceptions — are further escalating the tensions by continuously conducting acrimonious debates and telecasting violent incidents. They must exercise restraint and help establish peace in the State.
Thungathurthy Praveen Kumar,
Hyderabad
The common man and daily wage-earners of coastal Andhra have nothing to do with the allegation levelled by the people of Telangana against the people of the Andhra region — that they have cornered the benefits of all development projects. When the two regions were merged, the leaders of all parties went along with the decision and served in successive governments. Some form of injustice will be experienced by all the regions of Andhra Pradesh if it is bifurcated.
V.N. Sastry,
Nandikotkur
