Will there be no formation of a separate Telangana state till a broad consensus is arrived at? Going by the statement made in Rajya Sabha by the Minister of state for Home Affairs, Jitendra Singh, the answer seems to be 'Yes'.

Replying to a query on division of the states, Jitendra Singh told in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that the creation of any new state has wide ramifications and direct bearing on the federal polity of the country. "The Government of India moves in the matter only when there is a broad consensus in the parent state, that one part thereof may be separated to form a new state. Government takes decision on the matter of formation of new states after taking into consideration all relevant factors. Action by the government would depend on the felt need and general consensus," he said in a written reply.

Though the minister might have given the reply in connection with one particular state, the fact that a broad consesus is necessary in dividing the states applies to all the states. Obviously, it becomes the foremost requirement for the Centre bring in a consensus among all the regions to divide the State of Andhra Pradesh. And given to the present situation in AP as well as at the Centre, even if the government decides to introduce T Bill in the Parliament, it can not garner the 'broad consensus' it requires, say the senior observers.