Hyderabad, Nov 12 (IANS)

 The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has decided not to attend the meeting convened by the Group of Ministers (GoM) on bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

TDP leader G. Muddukrishnama Naidu told reporters after a meeting of senior leaders with TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu that they decided to stay away from the meeting to protest the manner in which the Congress party is going ahead with the process of bifurcation.

Muddukrishnama Naidu said the TDP wants the central government to hold talks with stakeholders of both Telangana and Seemandhra - the combined coastal Andhra and Rayalseema regions - to amicably solve the problem.

The GoM constituted by the central government to look into various issues related to bifurcation of the state has invited leaders of eight parties, including the TDP, to express their opinion.

The panel was Tuesday hearing representatives of five parties. It has called three other parties, including the TDP, on Wednesday.

The TDP, besides the YSR Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist), has also not written to the GoM. The ministerial group sought reports from political parties by Nov 5.

Another TDP leader, T. Ramakrishnudu, said there was no need to write to the GoM. He said the TDP remained committed to its resolution passed in 2008 supporting the demand for a separate Telangana state.

TDP leader from Telangana E. Dayakar Rao said the party was staying away from the meeting only to protest the unilateral manner in which the Congress was going ahead with bifurcation. He said the centre should have called leaders of Telangana and Seemandhra regions for talks to resolve the issue.