Any number of meetings and setting up of committees will not find an answer as they are only meant to buy time. Added to that is the report given by Andhra Pradesh Governor Narasimhan that if there is a separate Telangana, there is the danger of it becoming a naxalite state.

What has happened in the past few weeks on the emotive issue is revealing. First of all, neither the State Government nor the Centre has any clue to dealing with the situation. The state remains paralysed with bandhs and violence. People are unable to move around freely. Students have plunged into the agitation but they are under nobody's control. The Chief Minister has proved to be a disaster, running to Delhi for every decision. On Centre's own admission, Naxalites, who are already active in the Telangana region, have become more aggressive taking advantage of the explosive situation. The progress of Andhra Pradesh has come to a standstill, and investors are hesitant to look at the state in view of the uncertainty and political instability. The uncertainty over where Hyderabad will go has created panic among the investors who have sunk crores in the capital. Money power and vested interests have combined to make an already chaotic situation worse.

On the political side, the Congress, which retained power in the State with a thumping majority, does not know how to control its own MPs and MLAs. There is a vertical division in the ranks and those belonging to the Telangana region are batting for a separate state while the rest want a united Andhra Pradesh. The legislators are in no position to listen to the high command as they are fighting for their survival in their constituencies. The Congress is speaking with a forked tongue trying to please both sides. The main opposition party, Telugu Desam, is also sailing in the same boat as it is divided sharply. TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu, who supported the separate Telangana concept before the 2009 elections, is now dillydallying and weighing his options. The people had rejected the Telangana demand by giving very few seats to the Grand alliance consisting of the left parties, TRS and TDP. Praja Rajyam chief Chiranjeevi, who is new to politics, is opposed to a separate Telangana state. The CPI-M and Majlis are also opposed to it. In such a situation, how can the Home Minister evolve a consensus in the meeting, which he convened to discuss the issue? No wonder the meeting ended without any solution.

Is there a way out? What are the options before the government? First of all, normalcy should be restored in the state as soon as possible. This is easier said than done because the agitation by both the pro -Telangana and anti-Telangana movements are only picking up. Students have jumped into it and both sides are utilising them. Soon there will come a time when the situation may go out of control.

Secondly, the Centre and the State should engage the pro and anti-Telangana groups in a dialogue to make sure that things are not taken to the extreme by either side. Dialogue is the only way out. There are various ways of doing this. Several ideas are floating around like forming a Group of Ministers to look into the issue, sub- committee, trying to influence individual parties and so on.

Most important, the Congress should declare its stand publicly and persuade the other side in the party to come around. This again is not going to be easy because the legislators fear for their lives and are scared of facing the next elections. The High command's writ simply does not run now. This is not a good sign for the party.

Also, Mr. Rosaiah should be told to act like a CM. Ever since he took over, Rosaiah has been looking to the Centre for every decision, which makes him look weak. Since politically it is not possible to change him so soon, the only other option is to make him function better. He should be able to instill confidence not only in his partymen but also in other political parties in the state.

The Centre should also take steps to cool tempers. If the situation goes out of control, the only option is to impose President's Rule in the state for some time keeping the Assembly in animated suspension.

The spillover of the Telangana agitation is being felt in other states, too. For instance, the separate Vidarbha movement is gaining ground in Maharashtra with other political parties joining the bandwagon. There is echo in other states also demanding small states. There is urgent need for the Centre to make sure that things do not go out of control in these states as well. Setting up of a second State Reorganisation Commission may be an option, which will give enough time for the Centre to find a solution. But the immediate need is to bring normalcy in Andhra Pradesh. What is required is political sagacity and tactful handling of the situation. (IPA Service)