All parties to discuss report on Telangana next week

Chidambaram said the five-member Srikrishna panel had been constituted following a meeting of the eight recognised political parties in Andhra Pradesh and it is in the fitness of things that the committee’s report is first shared with these political parties.

“The government has decided that,in the first instance,the report will be shared with the eight recognised political parties. Accordingly,I propose to convene a meeting of the parties on Thursday,January 6,2011,at North Block,New Delhi,” Chidambaram said.

The report will be made public immediately after the meeting. The Home Minister said the report will,in the meanwhile,be shared with all the concerned ministries and departments for a careful study.

“The government will consider the report and begin the process of consultation with all political parties before taking appropriate decisions. That is the only way in a democracy and those who respect democracy must also respect the process of democracy,” he said.

Chidambaram also made an appeal to the people of Andhra to maintain peace,harmony and law and order. “The government has great faith in the wisdom,maturity and tolerance of the people of Andhra Pradesh. All political parties and groups have assured us that they will maintain peace,harmony and law and order. We welcome and believe these assurances,” he said.

“Now,all of us should look to the future. The past — and the unhappy incidents of the past — must be put behind us. Together,I am sure,we can agree on the path forward,a path that will bring satisfaction,happiness and prosperity,” he said.