New Delhi, Jan 5 - Home Minister P. Chidambaram Tuesday appealed to political parties in Andhra Pradesh to halt agitations and ensure law and order as they deliberated a mechanism to break the logjam on the issue of statehood to Telangana.

He also denied that the central government had acted in haste in announcing its nod to creation of a separate Telangana state.

"We must recognise the fundamental importance of restoring normalcy in Andhra Pradesh. There must be a halt to agitations and bandhs. Law and order must be maintained. Children must go to schools and colleges. People must be allowed to carry on their normal day-to-day activities," the home minister said in his opening remarks.

Representatives of the Congress, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India-Marxist, the Praja Rajyam Party, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen are taking part in the talks.

At the outset Chidambaram tried to clear the air over the misconception surrounding the statehood issue that has seen widespread agitations in the state.

"There are a number of misconceptions surrounding the issues that have brought us here today. There is a misconception that the central government acted in haste; that the political parties were not consulted; and that I, as home minister, acted as an individual," he said.

"As you are well aware, none of these misconceptions is supported by facts, but I shall not waste your time refuting these misconceptions."

The home minister urged the political parties to show accommodation and goodwill.

"Ultimately, you must find the answers and you must help the central government find a solution. The agenda for this meeting may appear limited, but I am confident that if we take one step at a time we will, eventually, find a solution."

Leaders from the state's Rayalaseema and Andhra regions, who are bitterly opposed to a separate Telangana state, were also present.

Telangana region comprises 10 districts, including capital Hyderabad. (IANS)