AP-PWG talks: Advani asks Naidu to tread with caution

Talking to mediapersons, Naidu said he had briefed Advani on the PWG talks and how the TDP government was keen to end the extremist violence once and for all.

He informed Advani about the efforts taken to evolve a consensus on this issue by holding an all-party meeting on the future strategy of the government in this regard.

The Chief Minister disclosed that the PWG at its meeting with the government representatives yesterday laid down eight demands. This included continuation of the armed struggle, even while the dialogue process was on, and lifting of the ban on the outfit.

When asked how both the demands, which were contradictory in nature, could be met by the TDP government, Naidu said that this was the reason why they would continue to hold talks. The next round of talks is scheduled to be held on June 9.

Sources said Advani told Naidu that the Andhra Pradesh government should not accept any demand of the PWG which is unconstitutional.

The Chief Minister, in his turn, told the Home Minister that he would continue to hold talks with the PWG in order to find a way out to root out extremism from his state.

Naidu also held discussions with former CBI director D.R. Karthikeyan on the PWG talks today. Karthikeyan said that he was all for talks with the Naxalites but that was as long as it remained within the realm of the Constitution.