The Centre said there is a need to hold wide ranging consultations with all the political parties and groups in the Andhra Pradesh on the issue of Telangana. This is necessary as the situation in the state has "altered" since the announcement with regard to the creation of a separate Telengana state.In a statement in New Delhi, the Home Minister, Mr. P. Chidambaram said, with several political parties now divided on the issue, the Centre will involve all concerned in the process of consultations and sentiments of all parties will be considered. Emphasising the need to restore peace and harmony in Andhra Pradesh, the Home Minister appealed to the people of different regions in the state, political parties and students to withdraw their agitation so that the state government is able to focus on the issues of governance and development.Mr. Chidambaram said that at a meeting of all political parties convened by the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Mr Rossiah on the 7th of this month, consensus had emerged on the issue of the formation of Telengana after which the government had made the statement on starting the process for the formation of Telengana. The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has welcomed Home Minister P Chidambaram's statement on Telangana issue and hoped it will put an end to the ongoing political stalemate in the state.The state Cabinet, which held an emergency meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Minister K Rosaiah, felt Chidambaram's statement was "very clear" on the statehood issue.