Don't put deadlines for Telangana: Cong

Amid fresh violence over Telangana in Andhra Pradesh, Congress on Wednesday appealed for calm and normalcy but refused to say whether any mechanism for its creation will be announced by January 28, a deadline set by those agitating for the separate state.

"Don't try to encapsulate as important and as intricate a problem like Telangana in a time-frame....in a straightjacket of deadlines," party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi told mediapersons adding that no 'quick fix' or 'magic button' solution could be expected on this issue.

He made the remark while replying to questions on whether the Centre would announce the mechanism for Telangana by January 28 keeping in view the deadline set by the pro-Telangana leaders.

At the All India Congress Committee briefing, Singhvi also stressed on the need for a 'balanced approach' by all stake-holders over the issue saying that the party appeals to all sections to maintain peace and normalcy.

Referring to the recent meetings held by the Central government with the pro- and anti-Telangana leaders of Andhra Pradesh, Singhvi said, "A comprehensive process is underway to elicit views of every stakeholder and generate a consensus. Nothing should be done that muddies this process."

The remarks came on a day when 45 people were injured in violence at Osmania University campus in Hyderabad over the police refusal to allow students to stage a march with the body of a youth who committed suicide apparently due to delay in formation of Telangana.

"It requires statesmanship to rise over narrow personal choices in the interest of the state and the nation. Each stakeholder should ensure that passions are not inflamed and violence is prevented. If we cannot provide a healing touch there is no reason to give a dividing or scorching touch," Singhvi said.

The Congress spokesperson also said that Andhra Pradesh is a very prosperous, dynamic and progressive state and there should not be any hindrance to its proud heritage.

"There should be no place for violence in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh," he said.

Singhvi also rubbished the suggestions that there is an opinion that Congress messed up the whole issue. A Congress leader on the condition of anonymity accepted that it will take time to thrash out a solution as minutes of the meetings over the issue will have to be prepared.

He also said that those inflaming the passions over the issue are from all parties and it is difficult for any party to spell out a clear stand on the issue as representatives of different regions of the state from the same party have different emotions and opinions.