T-leaders term MHA's all-party meet sham

The Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA) move to invite two people from the parties of the state for an all-party meeting on Telangana evoked strong reactions from pro-Telangana leaders who termed it a ploy by the Centre to delay the process.

They said the letter from K Skandan, additional secretary, MHA, received on Wednesday, ignores the demand for “one party-one stand” on the issue. The letter says the process was initiated after many MPs urged for restarting of the dialogue on Telangana.

TRS leader Harish Rao said: “Inviting two leaders from a party is nothing but starting a long drawn process. It proves that the Congress is not sincere in solving the issue. TDP leader from Telangana E Dayakar Rao termed the meet as another ploy by the Congress.

Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) chairman M Kodandaram suggested that all parties should take a clear stand on the issue which will help the process irrespective of the number of representatives invited from each party.

“Let there be a consensus within the parties before the representatives leave for Delhi. This way, the number will make no difference,” he added.

Representatives from major parties were divided along regional lines at the two all-party meetings convened by the Centre in 2010 and 2011.