NIC should be called for discussion on Telangana

Blaming the Congress of failing to handle the Telangana issue effectively, JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav today said instead of holding an all-party meeting tomorrow, the Government should call the National Integration Council for a discussion on the matter.     "The situation in Andhra Pradesh is causing concern due to its wide reaching ramifications in the country. Congress has failed to handle the sensitive issue of Telangana and committed a series of blunders," Yadav told reporters here.     He said the issue has been "spoilt" by the Congress and the party has "put the cart before the bullock".      "The all-party meeting called by home minister P Chidambaram tomorrow on the issue will not be beneficial. Instead a meeting of the National Integration Council should be called to discuss the issue," the JD(U) chief said.    Yadav urged prime minister Manmohan Singh to take the initiative in this direction, keeping the national interest in mind.He said in its anxiety to gain political mileage, the government made a statement on December 9, 2009, announcing initiation of process for Telangana's formation."This led to unprecedented upsurge among the people of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalseema. Again on December 23, the government made another statement assuring that due to division of opinion within political parties, wide ranging talks will be held on the matter. This led to agitations in Telangana and now as a sequel, the government has called this all-party meeting," Yadav said.