All-party meet next week to discuss issues related to the bifurcation of the State

The UPA government has decided to convene an all-party meeting next week to discuss issues related to the bifurcation of the State. The meeting is likely before the third meeting of the Group of Ministers on Nov 7 to evolve political consensus on contentious issues.

Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said Wednesday terms of reference approved by the Cabinet will be the focal point of discussions. “The meeting will discuss various provisions of the terms of reference of the GoM and give suggestions,” he said.

Sources said the meeting is expected to take up the issue of financial package to backward districts of Seemandhra and equal distribution of resources. The Home Ministry is already working on a special package which will be discussed threadbare at the meeting.

Shinde’s announcement has come as a surprise to the Opposition, particularly the TDP and the BJP. Political observers see in it a strategy to force the parties to accept openly the draft T Bill before it is tabled in Parliament. As all the other parties, except the TDP, have taken a clear stand either in support of or against bifurcation, the Centre’s move might put it in a spot of bother.

It would not be difficult for the YSRC as it has already taken a U-turn on the T-issue. The party might use the platform to oppose division of the State. But the TDP is walking a tightrope, demanding equal justice to all in the hope of keeping its base intact in Telangana and Seemandhra. “If our party demands concessions for Hyderabad, it will invite the wrath of Telangana. If it demands a financial package for Seemandhra, it will be pushed to a corner in the region. Either way, the all-party meet will be a litmus test,” a Seemandhra TDP leader, who does not want to be named, told Express.

This move will also put the BJP in a fix. Though it has said it would back the T-Bill, some of its Seemandhra leaders privately claim the party would obstruct the bill under the pretext of seeking justice for Seemandhra.
source: The New Indian Express