The UPA government on Saturday counselled patience to the agitating members of Andhra Pradesh who created an uproar in the Rajya sabha to know what plan of action the Centre had in mind to deal with the law and order situation arising out of the 24-hour bandh call given by the pro-statehood groups.
The Centre, however, ruled out imposing President’s rule in the state and re-affirmed its commitment to the creation of Telangana and rejected the possibility of considering immediately demands for creation of new states.
Making a statement in the Rajya Sabha on Andhra Pradesh Union finance minister P. Chidambaram said, “I can understand the concern of members from the state on the situation in Andhra Pradesh especially with regard to the bandh.”
He added, “government has listened carefully to the members from the state of Andhra Pradesh.
They have expressed concern over the situation in Hyderabad. We have taken note of it. We are in touch with government of Andhra Pradesh. We will take all steps possible to maintain law and order, especially in Hyderabad. Be patient.”
Earlier, TDP members attacked the Kiran Kumar Reddy government by saying there was no government in Andhra Pradesh. Congress members too wanted to speak on the issue but were disallowed by deputy chairman P.J. Kurien.
They were also dissuaded by their senior colleagues who requested them not to raise the issue. Later, addressing a press conference here Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said, “There is no question of President’s rule in Andhra Pradesh.” Emph-asising that his ministry is in the process of prepa-ring a note on Telangana to be presented before the Cabinet he said, “The Congress Working Com-mittee had taken a decision on Telangana and asked the government to prepare a resolution. One process has been completed. Now, it has come to the government and the second stage has started.”