Chidamabaram’s comments irresponsible: Lok Satta

The Lok Satta Party today termed Union Home Minister P. Chidamabaram’s comments on the Telangana issue as irresponsible as they would merely prolong political uncertainty in Andhra Pradesh instead of removing it.

Mr. Chidamabaram had said that an all-party meeting on the demand for a Telanagana State could be convened only when all parties were prepared to come to Delhi and speak out their minds.

In a media statement, party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma and Secretary Bandaru Ramamohan Rao said that Mr. Chidamabaram seemed to be shirking his responsibility because he was fully aware that the Congress and the TDP were split on regional lines. If an early solution was not found to the problem, law and order in the State would deteriorate further, administration become chaotic, economy derail and people get mired in deeper hardships.

The Lok Satta Party leaders suggested that the Union Government should take the initiative to meet with State political leaders either separately or collectively, ascertain majority opinion and hammer out a solution, or assess the situation on its own, and announce its decision after consulting all parties.

They also suggested that the State Legislature discuss the issue so that members could arrive at a solution including bifurcation of the State keeping in mind the interests of people of all the regions. In the absence of such a way out, people would continue to suffer with some pursuing the path of agitation and some others indulging in blame game or resorting to escapism.

The Lok Satta Party leaders wanted the Union Government to announce a road map for resolving the issue, and all political parties in the State to enter into a meaningful debate in the Legislature and work out a solution that is by and large acceptable to all. Everyone should acknowledge that the time for keeping the issue on the back burner is over, they added.