New Delhi, Dec 23rd: Caught in the cauldron of Telangana crossfire, the Government today said it will hold "wide-ranging consultations" with all political parties and groups in Andhra Pradesh before deciding on the demand for a new state. Briefing newspersons on the Government decision, Home Minister P Chidambaram said, "A large number of political parties are divided on the issue. There is a need for holding wide-ranging consultations with all political parties and groups in the state. The Government of India will take steps to involve all concerned in the process." He also appealed to people of different regions of Andhra Pradesh to withdraw their agitations and maintain peace and harmony.

Clarifying the change in the Government's stand, the Minister said a consensus had emerged at a meeting of all political parties convened by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on December 7, but later the situation altered. "A large number of political parties are divided on the issue," he pointed out. The Home Minister on December 9 had announced that the process of formation of Telangana state will be initiated soon and the state Assembly will move a resolution in this regard. However, protests for and against, in and outside Parliament and spate of resignations of legislators had forced the Government to go slow.