Chidambaram asks parties to take final stand on Telangana

Making a statement in the Lok Sabha on a calling attention notice given by leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj, Chidambaram said there are eight recognised parties in AP  of  which four are yet to formulate their final stand on the issue.

The home minister said Congress party has not made up it’s mind on the issue and the main opposition party in the state TDP has also told him  that they were yet to make a final view.  He said YSR Congress has conveyed “nothing” and MIM would first find Congress and TDP’s view before firming up their opinion.

He said three parties — BJP, CPI, TRS — have stated they are for the Telangana state. Chidambaram said the BJP which was in 2002 not supporting a separate Telangana has now changed it’s stand.

The minister said it was for “the Telugu people”  to provide a solution and not the Centre which may only facilitate it.

Once political parties conclude their consultations, Chidambaram said, he would call an all party meet to take a final call on the issue.

The home minister also asked members not to run down the Sri Krishna panel which has only worked according to the terms and reference given to it by the Centre.

When  Swaraj asked whether there was a “secret Chapter 8” in the commission’s report, the minister said  “yes, there is” and the issue (as when it would be made public) is currently sub judice.

Report criticised

Earlier, participating in the motion, Congress leaders S Narayan Rao said party president Sonia Gandhi has given her word on Telangana and she would fulfill her commitment. He criticised Sri Krishna panel report saying the commission’s recommendation was not that of the Supreme Court.

Another Congress member K S Rao who opposed Telangana had a verbal duel with his Congress colleague.

Rao said demand for separate Telangana had come from “disgruntled leaders be they from the Congress or other parties.”