Telangana Issue: Chidambaram Says No More Bandhs, Agitations

In a crucial all party meeting for finding solution to Telangana crisis, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has appealed for no more bandhs and agitations in Andhra Pradesh.

“Law and order must be maintained. Children must go to schools and colleges. People must be allowed to carry on their normal day-to-day activities. Government must be able to focus on development and the welfare of the people. It is in the interest of all sections of the people of Andhra Pradesh that peace and harmony prevail while the consultations take place,” said the minister.

Chidambaram is holding meeting with representatives of eight political parties from Andhra Pradesh to discuss the formation of a new Telangana state, an issue which has shown a clear split of opinion in political parties of the state with coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema opposing a new state and Telangana demanding this immediately, along with Hyderabad as its capital.

Though meeting is on in New Delhi on the issue, protestors on both sides of the divide decided to block road and rail traffic across Andhra Pradesh today. Authorities consequently cancelled 88 trains.

Besides, schools, colleges, banks, ATMs, hotels, theatres, shops and offices will remain closed for the second day today.

For more than a month, there have been violent protests virtually every day.  In early December, Chidambaram announced that a new state had been sanctioned by the Centre. A gigantic backlash erupted within hours, with more than a 100 MLAS from non-Telangana regions resigning in protest. The biggest surprise came from parties like Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) which had earlier committed their support to a Telangana state but quickly reversed their decision.

At the meeting on Tuesday, Chidamabaram refuted charge that the Centre had acted in haste on Telangana issue, and that political parties were not consulted.