'Decision on Telangana after parties give views'

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Friday said the Centre would take a decision on the contentious statehood issue only after the eight recognised political parties in the state expressed their views on it.

"It is a procedure. We have to follow it. The Centre will take a decision after the political parties expressed their views after studying the recommendations of the Justice Srikrishna Committee," the CM said in the state assembly, minutes before the proceedings were adjourned for half-an-hour following slogan shouting by Telugu Desam Party members.

The Centre would convene a meeting again to elicit views of all parties after they studied the Justice Srikrishna Committee report thoroughly, he added. Appealing to the agitated TDP members of Legislative Assembly, who disrupted the assembly proceedings demanding that the Centre keep Andhra Pradesh united, to maintain calm, the Reddy pointed out that the state was facing many problems at this juncture.

"Annual examinations are round the corner. Lakhs of students have to write the examinations. Let us all create a peaceful atmosphere so that they can write the exams without any problem," he said. The CM criticised the TDP for not even attending the all-party meeting convened by the Centre to handover the five-member committee report.

Hitting back at Reddy, Telugu Desam Legislature Party deputy leader Gali Muddukrishnama Naidu questioned the silence of All India Congress Committee chief Sonia Gandhi on the statehood issue. "Did Sonia Gandhi open her mouth so far on the issue? Even the Congress party has not clearly spelt out its stand," Muddukrishnama pointed out.

"The Congress is solely responsible for the current political and administrative uncertainty prevailing in the state. Since the party is in power both at the Centre and in the state, it should take action on the statehood issue immediately," the TDP leader said. TDP MLAs from the Andhra-Rayalaseema regions then rushed into the well of the House holding placards and raising slogans in support of a unified state.

Standing at their respective positions, the four Communist Party of India MLAs raised the Telangana demand as a counter. Deputy Speaker Nadendla Manohar appealed for order, recalling the promise made by floor leaders of all parties during a meeting on Thursday to let the House run smoothly. But the din continued and the Deputy Speaker adjourned the proceedings for 30 minutes.