Chidambaram terms demand for bifurcation of Tamil Nadu 'absurd'

Union home minister P Chidambaram today dismissed as "meaningless and absurd" demand for bifurcation of Tamil Nadu, saying the idea should be nipped in the bud.

"It is a meaningless and absurd idea. It should be nipped in the bud," he said, reacting to PMK leader S Ramadoss' remarks about splitting Tamil Nadu into two states.

Chidambaram was talking to reporters after meeting chief minister M Karunanidhi here.

Ramadoss had recently said bifurcation of Tamil Nadu would be "good" on administrative grounds, apparently buoyed by the Centre's nod for the creation of Telangana.

Karunanidhi had, however, dismissed the idea, saying there was "no place for such concepts." AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa too had opposed the bifurcation idea.

The chief minister had also attributed the present turmoil in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh over the Telangana issue to "a delayed decision and hasty announcement" by the Centre.
    
Responding to a question on Telangana issue, Chidambaram said the all-party meeting convened by the Centre on January 5 in Delhi would discuss and take an appropriate decision.

"We have invited leaders of eight different political parties from Andhra Pradesh. We will talk to them and discuss about arriving at an unanimous opinion," he said.

Asked whether there is any specific terror threat to the country, he said all countries across the globe were facing terror threat.