Different parties, different opinions

It is evident that the group of ministers (GoM) has been constituted to deal with issues emerging from the bifurcation of the state. It held consultations with all major political parties from the state.

Four political parties, TRS, BJP, CPI and MIM unanimously opposed Hyderabad as the common capital. They also fervidly opposed giving Hyderabad a Union Territory Status.

While the main opposition party in the state TDP boycotted the meeting, YSR Congress Party and CPI (M) voted for united Andhra Pradesh. On the other hand, the ruling Congress party had different opinions among its own members, representing different regions.

It is worth mentioning here that the GoM, comprising Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, Defence Minister AK Antony, Finance Minister P Chidambaram and others had invited eight political parties from Andhra Pradesh for individual meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday to present their views on the bifurcation issue.

Various parties presented various versions and have not arrived at a consensus. Also, few parties alleged that the GoM has no clear cut agenda and it has no answers to the questions posed by the parties.

Many parties alleged that the GoM is simply wasting the precious time and playing with the feelings of the people from either region.