T Decision Followed Consultations: Chidambaram

Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram reiterated that the decision to form Telangana was taken after holding wide consultations with all political parties and other stakeholders.

In a debate in Rajya Sabha on Monday, Chidambaram said that the consultations were held when he was the Home Minister, and two all-party meetings were held then to discuss the issue.

Referring to the Srikrishna Committee report, he said that the committee had addressed several issues.

Dismissing allegations that no homework was done on Telangana, he said that the constitution of the Srikrishna Committee and other consultations was the homework done before the government took the decision. He added that an earlier decision was kept in abeyance to hold further consultations.

Chidambaram said that each party goes through its own methods of decision-making, and that the Congress had taken the decision through the Congress Working Committee.

He asked why, when a decision taken by the TDP could be considered "democratic", the Congress' decision was being called "autocratic".

He said that parties also change their stands on issues. Citing an example, he said that the BJP had taken decision against the formation of Telangana in April 2002, and that it later changed its stand.

The Finance Minister said that a comprehensive cabinet note is being prepared, and that each and every issue would be considered before the government takes its decision.

He said that subjects like the sharing of river water, electricity, security for all three regions, and the status of Hyderabad, would be addressed.

He said the views expressed by all political parties and the members who participated in the debate would be kept in mind. He added that the formation of Telangana would take place through a constitutional process.

Chidambaram said that he had the time-table adopted for the formation of Jharkhand and other states, but maintained that Telangana's formation would not take as long as the other states did. (INN)