New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANS) Softening its stance on the formation of separate Telangana state, the government Wednesday said there was need to hold wide-ranging consultations with all political parties in Andhra Pradesh to reach a consensus on the issue.
The move came after the announcement by Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Dec 9 about the government’s acceptance of the demand for the formation of a separate Telangana state led to a political tempest with mass resignations by legislators from all parties protesting the move to divide the state.

Chidambaram said today the situation had changed in the state and political parties were divided on the issue.

“A statement was made on behalf of the central government on December 9. However, after the statement the situation in Andhra has altered. A large number of political parties are divided on the political issue. There is a need to hold wide ranging consultations with all political parties in the state,” he said.

Chidambaram said the government would take steps to involve all concerned in the process of talks.

“The central government appeals to all people of Andhra Pradesh and to all political parties and students to withdraw their agitation and maintain peace, harmony and brotherhood,” adding that the state government should be allowed to focus on governance.

The home minister’s remarks came hours after the Congress said Telangana was an old issue and it was for the collective political leadership of the state to resolve the situation that has arisen due to regional divisions over the proposed state.

Congress spokesman Manish Tiwari said it was for the “collective wisdom” of Andhra Pradesh leaders across the political spectrum to “sit down and form appropriate solution.”

Faced with deep divisions in its ranks in the state, the Congress has been

trying to come out with a compromise formula to bring down political

temperatures.

The Congress core group met Monday evening while senior leaders met party president Sonia Gandhi Wednesday to evolve an appropriate response.

Congress sources said that the meeting at Sonia Gandhi’s residence was

attended by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister A. K.

Antony, Home Minister P. Chidambaram, Law Minister M. Veerapa Moily and Ahmed

Patel, political secretary to the Congress president.