Andhra Cong committee prez urges PM for all-party meet on Telangana

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Botsa Satyanarayana wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today, urging him to convene a meeting of political parties to create an atmosphere of goodwill and trust in Andhra Pradesh, which has witnessed unrest after the decision to form a separate state of Telangana. “I am of the view that it would be desirable for the Union Government to initiate discussions with all political parties to create an atmosphere of goodwill and trust. By doing so, a message would go across to the people that decisions are being taken in consultation with those affected in the true spirit of a democracy,” Satyanarayana said. [caption id=“attachment_1163075” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. AP[/caption] Such interactions would bring to light the actual issues that causing concern, he said, in a letter to the Prime Minister. “Such all-party meetings can be held either by the Hon’ble Prime Minister himself or by other concerned Union Minister. After this initial meeting, further discussions can be held with other stakeholders,” he said in his letter. The PCC president said opposition parties including the TDP and YSRCP have taken a U-turn and are going back on what they stated and gave in writing earlier. He said a number of issues have been raised which are causing serious concern and confusion among the public. “Some of the upper most concerns relate to status of Hyderabad city, future academic and employment opportunities, sharing of waters and distribution of revenues. The people of Seemandhra region are highly agitated over these issues and are looking for appropriate solutions. Due to this, they are demanding that the state should remain united,” he said. Meanwhile, Congress leaders from Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema set up a 17-member coordination committee to organise their future course of action over the bifurcation issue, Andhra Pradesh Primary Education Minister S Sailajanath told reporters here. PTI