The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : `Unilateral decision' on bifurcation of State deplored

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Friday, Jun 25, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

`Unilateral decision' on bifurcation of State deplored

By Our Staff Reporter

CUDDAPAH, JUNE 24. The Rayalaseema Karmika Karshaka Samithi president, Ch. Chandrasekhar Reddy, on Thursday objected to the "unilateral decision" being taken on the bifurcation of the State by the leaders of coastal Andhra and the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, without considering the aspirations of the people of the backward and drought-prone Rayalaseema region.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Reddy observed that a dialogue ought to have been initiated in the three regions before placing the issue of statehood for Telangana region in the Common Minimum Programme of the Central Government. The statements that statehood could be granted to Telangana in the next nine months and propaganda by coastal Andhra leaders that Vijayawada or Guntur could become the new capital after the separation of Telangana were disheartening the Rayalaseema population.

The four Rayalaseema districts were ceded during the Nizam's rule and separate Rayalaseema was mooted by intellectuals even while carving out Andhra Pradesh as a Telugu-speaking State from the composite Madras State. Intellectuals and like-minded persons of Rayalaseema region would hold a meeting at Tirupati on June 27 to chalk out the future course of action to safeguard the region's interests and would call on the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, on the issue, Mr. Chandrasekhar Reddy stated.

Neither the Government nor any political party was considering the aspirations of the Rayalaseema people and neglecting it owing to its backwardness. They were coming to a unilateral conclusion that Rayalaseema would sail along with coastal Andhra, he alleged. The region was meted out injustice in irrigation facilities and release of Krishna waters, he said and feared that it would receive step-motherly treatment from coastal Andhra.

Mr. Chandrasekhar Reddy favoured division of the State region-wise into three parts, so that Rayalaseema would have its say as a separate State. He wondered why Kurnool, which was the State capital in the past, was not being considered. He demanded the Government to initiate a dialogue with the intellectuals and leaders of Rayalaseema, before taking a final decision, lest an agitational path would become inevitable.

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