Hyderabad, Oct 2 (IANS): The issue of a separate state for Telangana will be settled as soon as possible, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said here Sunday.

He said consultations with the elected representatives of all three regions of Andhra Pradesh -- Telangana, coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema -- were completed but there is need for more consultations on the issue at the national level.

Azad, who is in charge of party affairs in Andhra Pradesh, was talking to reporters at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport here after his arrival on a daylong visit to the state.

"We need more consultations at the national level. I would not be able tell you the exact date but we will try to settle this issue as soon as possible.

"We are also conscious of the situation. Lots of people are suffering because of the strike. I can't say we will do it tomorrow or day after but we are trying to settle the impasse as soon as possible," he added.

To another query, he said the Telangana issue can't be compared with the Kashmir problem.

Azad appealed to government employees in Telangana to call off the strike, saying it was causing inconvenience to people.

"I am appealing to government employees in Telangana who are on strike for 20 days to withdraw the strike and cooperate with the people, especially in view of the festivals," he said.

The union minister said the strike had led to electricity shortage and hardships for farmers. He said labourers were hit hard as they were not getting work due to the strike.