Chidambaram to meet leaders of eight AP parties

A meeting of eight political parties convened by Home Minister P Chidambaram here tomorrow will try to devise a mechanism and roadmap to resolve the vexed Telangana issue, even as leaders from three regions of Andhra Pradesh are sticking to their known stands.

Coming nearly a month after the Centre announced that it would initiate the process of formation of Telangana, the meeting will see the participation of Congress, TDP, TRS, Praja Rajyam, CPI(M), CPI, BJP and MIM - the eight registered political parties in Andhra Pradesh.

The conclave is expected to be a stormy affair as deep differences between leaders from Telangana and non-Telangana regions persist. Protests and road and rail rokos have been organised tomorrow in Telangana for a separate state and in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema opposing the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

Major parties like Congress and Telugu Desam are virtually divided on regional lines with leaders from Telangana pitching for a separate state and those from coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions wanting a united Andhra Pradesh.

While TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao, the political face of the pro-Telangana agitation, arrived here last night to attend the meeting, Chief Minister K Rosaiah landed this morning. He is also expected to hold discussions with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chidambaram to discuss tomorrow's meetings and the situation in the state.

While Rao has made it clear that he will make a strong case for a separate state, PRP chief Chiranjeevi says he will pitch for a united Andhra Pradesh.