The Indian government has announced that a meeting will be held on 5 January to prepare a "road map" for the proposed new state of Telangana.
The government this month announced that the state would be carved out of the state southern of Andhra Pradesh.
But recently it reversed the move saying more consultations were needed.
The about-turn led to the resignations of 13 Andhra Pradesh ministers. But they have now reversed their decision following Thursday's announcement.
Federal Home Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday denied that the government was dithering over the new state.
He said it was acting on the wishes of the people of Andhra Pradesh.
Mr Chidambaram said that because there were "deep divisions within major political parties" over the Telangana issue, the government had decided to hold another round of talks with all the main political parties in January.
"There was no flip-flop by the centre," Mr Chidambaram said.
"The 5 January meeting is the first step in the consultations. We have called on recognised parties in the state to devise a mechanism and a road map on the issue."
There were isolated incidents of violence in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, following a general strike by supporters of the new state.
The BBC's Omer Farooq in the state capital Hyderabad says security has been heightened to prevent more violence over the new year.
Earlier this month the government announced it would allow the creation of the new state - with a population of 35 million people - irrespective of opposition. But it changed its mind following widespread protests in Andhra Pradesh.
India has 28 states. The last three were formed in 2000.
BBC News - India
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