TOP NEWS:-Political leaders appeal for peace in Andhra Pradesh

Representatives of the eight political parties from Andhra Pradesh who met Home Minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday to deliberate on a mechanism to break the logjam on the issue of statehood to Telangana have appealed for peace and law and order in the state.




"We have expressed our views at the meeting and they have been noted by the central government," said the leaders in a brief joint statement.



"Meanwhile, it is our earnest appeal that peace, harmony, and law and order should be maintained in the state."



Transport services across Andhra Pradesh were hit on Tuesday as supporters and opponents of a separate Telangana stopped trains and buses as a mark of protest to coincide with the all-party meeting in Delhi.



Railway authorities cancelled 89 trains as a precaution while state-owned Road Transport Corp (RTC) partially suspended bus services.



Representatives of the Congress, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India-Marxist, the Praja Rajyam Party, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen are taking part in the talks in Delhi.



According to home ministry officials, this is the first meeting of political leaders and would be followed up with student leaders and other interested parties.



At the outset Chidambaram tried to clear the air over the misconception surrounding the statehood issue that has seen widespread agitations in the state by pro- and anti-Telangana factions.



"There are a number of misconceptions surrounding the issues that have brought us here today. There is a misconception that the central government acted in haste; that the political parties were not consulted; and that I, as home minister, acted as an individual," the home minister said.



"As you are well aware, none of these misconceptions is supported by facts, but I shall not waste your time refuting these misconceptions."



The home minister urged the political parties to show accommodation and goodwill.



"Ultimately, you must find the answers and you must help the central government find a solution. The agenda for this meeting may appear limited, but I am confident that if we take one step at a time we will eventually find a solution."



Leaders from the state's Rayalaseema and Andhra regions, who are bitterly opposed to a separate Telangana state, were also present.



Telangana region comprises 10 districts, including capital Hyderabad.