Addressing the media before leaving for Delhi, Justice Srikrishna said the commission would come to a “judicious” conclusion on the issue entrusted with it after examining the matter from all angles and in depth.
Responding to a question, he said the commission would be strictly guided by the terms of reference of the Centre.
“We are not here to initiate the formation of Telangana or to stop its formation. We will ascertain the views of all sections of the people and come to a judicious conclusion.
“It is not for us to satisfy anybody’s emotions. It is up to the Government of India to take a final decision on our report,” he said.
Justice Srikrishna said he could not as yet give his opinion whether the commission favoured bifurcation or a unified state. Nor could he suggest alternatives to protect Telangana’s interests or say if bifurcation was not feasible. “How can we say anything now,” he asked.
The commission will visit the state again in April and interact with the leaders of various political parties to ascertain their views. The five members of the commission met leaders of all recognised political parties at a dinner hosted by Governor E S L Narasimhan on Wednesday.
On Thursday morning, Chief minister K Rosaiah called on Justice Srikrishna. The chief minister made it clear that the government would not present any report on the issue to the commission.
The commission has decided against setting up an office in Hyderabad and will function from Delhi. However, it would visit the state as frequently as possible to get views from various sections of the people.
Protests
On the two days of its stay in Hyderabad, the commission faced protests from pro-Telangana lawyers. On Thursday, a group of lawyers was arrested as they tried to lay siege to the Lake View Guest House where the Commission members were staying.
A similar protest greeted the commission members on their arrival at Shamshabad International Airport here on Wednesday. Shouting slogans, placard-carrying lawyers asked the commission to go back.
Meanwhile, the BJP which is in favour of Telangana state, has questioned the legality of the Srikrishna commission. BJP leader Vidyasagara Rao on Friday contended that the commission had no legal validity as it was constituted by the Congress.
“The constitution of committee on the issue was nothing but a dilatory tactic and a ‘stab in the back’ of Telangana by the Centre which went back on its promise to create a separate Telangana state,” he said.