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Key India new state talks begin No progress in India state talks
(about 10 hours later)
A key meeting of political parties has begun in the Indian capital, Delhi, to prepare a "road map" for the proposed new state of Telangana. Indian political parties meeting to discuss a "road map" for the proposed new state of Telangana have ended talks in Delhi without a breakthrough.
Early last month the government announced that the new state would be carved out of the southern districts of Andhra Pradesh state. The eight parties issued a joint statement appealing for calm.
But later it reversed the move, saying more consultations were needed. Telangana would be carved out of the southern state of Andhra Pradesh and there have been protests for and against it in recent weeks.
But several Andhra Pradesh ministers resigned after the policy reversal and there were fresh protests in the state. The Indian government announced the proposal in early December, but later said more consultations were needed.
After the government announced Tuesday's meeting, the ministers decided not to resign. 'Appeal for peace'
Federal Home Minister P Chidambaram has denied accusations that the government was "dithering" over the creation of the new state. Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram said Tuesday's talks had been "a good meeting and everybody expressed their views". More consultations would be held, he said.
Mr Chidambaram said that because there were "deep divisions within major political parties" over the Telangana issue, the government had decided to hold talks with all the main political parties in January. INDIA'S NEWEST STATE Population of 35 millionFormed from 10 districts of Andhra Pradesh, including city of HyderabadLandlocked, predominantly agricultural areaOne of the most under-developed regions in IndiaCulmination of 50-year campaignMore than 400 people died in 1969 crackdown
Media reports suggest that a consensus among the political parties over the formation of a new state at Tuesday's meeting is unlikely. "It is quite clear that views of political parties are divided. I summed up their views and will take them to the prime minister and formulate a course of action," the NDTV channel quoted him as saying.
Out of the eight parties attending the meeting, three are supporting the new state, two have opposed it, while the remaining two, including the ruling Congress party, are "ambivalent" about the demand, reports say. The leaders of the political parties who attended the meeting called for calm in Andhra Pradesh.
Last month the government announced it would allow the creation of the new state - with a population of 35 million people - irrespective of opposition. But it changed its mind following widespread protests in Andhra Pradesh. "It is our earnest appeal that peace, harmony and law and order should be maintained in the state," their statement said.
India has 28 states. The last three were formed in 2000. Correspondents say there are deep divisions within political parties over the Telangana issue and a consensus was not expected.
Last month India's Congress party-led government announced it would allow the creation of the new state irrespective of opposition. Congress is also in power in Andhra Pradesh.
The announcement prompted widespread protests in Andhra Pradesh.
Opponents of the move are unhappy about having the present state capital, Hyderabad, which is home to many major information technology and pharmaceutical companies, transferred to Telangana.
Demonstrators for and against the new state have blocked roads and railways in Andhra Pradesh, while many schools, shops, offices and hotels remained closed for a second day.
The final decision to create a new state lies with the Indian parliament, but the state assembly must pass a resolution approving the creation of Telangana. The state legislature is sharply divided on the issue.
Telangana would be carved out of northern districts of Andhra Pradesh and would have a population of about 35 million people
India currently has 28 states. The last three were formed in 2000.
Do you live in Andhra Pradesh? What do you think about the creation of the new state? Can India sustain a larger number of states? Send us your views using the form below.Do you live in Andhra Pradesh? What do you think about the creation of the new state? Can India sustain a larger number of states? Send us your views using the form below.
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