T wrath on Kiran

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy’s remarks on the state bifurcation has come in for sharp criticism from Telangana leaders, cutting across party lines. TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao led the attack, throwing the gauntlet for a public debate on key issues raised by the Chief Minister and accused him of fomenting tensions among the people. A host of leaders from the ruling Congress Party including his cabinet colleagues such as Deputy Chief Minister Damodara Rajanarasimha, Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy, Former PCC Chief D Srinivas, Rajya Sabha members V Hanumantha Rao, Palvai Govardhan Reddy, Lok Sabha member Gutta Sukhender Reddy and former minister Komatireddy Venkatareddy, TDP leader Errabelli Dayakar Rao etc have strongly rebutted the claims of the Chief Minister and even wanted him to quit the post for his anti-Telangana stance

A commander shall not turn a conspirator: Dy CM

Hyderabad : Launching a veiled attack against Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy for the unsavory remarks made by him on the Congress decision to bifurcate the state, Deputy Chief Minister Damodara Rajanarasimha said that “a Commander should not turn a Conspirator.” A Commander should shoulder the responsibility to look after his soldiers and people, he said adding that ‘a failed politician thinks about himself and a politician about next elections. But, a statesman would indeed “think about the next generation”.

Participating in a ‘Meet-the-Press’ programme organised by Telangana Journalists’ Forum (TJF) on Friday Rajanarasimha exuded confidence that the Congress would keep up its promise and two governments (Seemandhra and Telangana) would be formed by the end of December. He also ruled out any Constitutional crisis in the state due to resignations made en masse by their colleagues from other two regions. When questioned whether Telangana Ministers and MLAs would step down from the cabinet in view of the Chief Minister openly voicing anti-Telangana opinion, he pointed out that Sonia Gandhi was their supreme leader.

“I owe my post, my growth in the party to my party president. As a disciplined soldier in the party we will follow whatever instructions given by our leader,” he added. Rajanarasimha stressed that Andhra Pradesh Congress manifesto for 2004 elections, which made a mention of Telangana statehood demand was prepared with the consent of leaders from all regions. “I don’t understand why a big fuss is being made on Telangana issue. One should remember that it is not a new State. It was the largest princely state in the nation even before independence. After formation, Telangana would be larger than 18 other states in the country,” he explained.

Separate T demand is essentially about self-identity, self respect and self rule, the Dy CM remarked. He stated that Hyderabad would remain an integral part of Telangana. Rayala Telangana proposal would be opposed tooth and nail. “Our demand is Telangana with 10 districts including Hyderabad. Hyderabad is not a contentious issue at all. Seemandhra people living in the state capital are Hyderabadis and not settlers.”

Commenting on the apprehensions about water, jobs and other issues in the event of bifurcation, Rajanarasimha pointed that neither Telangana leaders nor the people of 10 districts created the problems. He reasoned that politicians hailing from Seemandhra region adorned the Chief Minister post for 44 long years since the state of Andhra Pradesh was formed 56 years ago whereas Telangana leaders ruled for just 12 years. Rajanarasimha, however, pointed that all issues and apprehensions would be duly addressed.

Commenting on the relocation of government employees, Rajanarasimha pointed out that guidelines of the Department of Personnel and Training will be followed in shifting of government employees as was done when other states were bifurcated earlier. According to Rajanarasimha, anti-Congress forces were behind desecration of national leaders’ statues in Seemandhra region. When asked whether he saw the Chief Minister’s hand behind the protests in other two regions, Rajanarasimha responded by saying no. Once Telangana state was formed, the Chief Minister should own the region and set priorities, think about the heart burn of the region, the problems of youth, farmers, and shortcomings in various sectors including education.

The focus of the new government of Telangana would be to complete projects on Godavari and Krishna rivers for electricity generation for agriculture and other purposes. Top priority would be given for completion of Pranahitha-Chevella, Devadula, Ellampally and Kanthanapally projects. Forty thousand crores of Rupees would be spent on power projects for generating 7000 MW of power.

“Our goal is to form a vibrant, and a uniquely cultured Telangana. Since BCs, SCs, STs comprise 80 percent of population in the region, political empowerment of these communities could be expected in the new State,” he said.
Quoting former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, the Deputy Chief Minister said “Reaching our Telangana goal is like climbing a hell, but I believe there are many more hills to climb.”

Jaipal : Decision unalterable

Mahbubnagar: Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy asserted here on Friday that Hyderabad was part of Telangana and that the Centre’s decision on statehood was a ‘law’ that cannot be altered (‘shila sasanam’). Referring to Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy expressing apprehension over the decision on Telangana, he said the inter-state tribunal would take care of the river water distribution. Jailpal Reddy said the Centre would take note of the CM’s utterances and blamed the Seemandhra leaders for the agitation. He faulted Kiran Reddy for making allegations against a dead person (YSR).

Naidu seeks PM’s intervention

Hyderabad : The TDP president, N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday sought immediate intervention of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to dispel the doubts, address the concerns of people of Seemandhra region and resolve the complex problem that had arisen out of the CWC decision on bifurcation of the state.

Naidu in a letter to the Prime Minister said that though most of the political parties agreed to the formation of Telangana state, the decision of the CWC to bifurcate the state without giving clarity on the future of Seemandhra has thrown the entire Seemandhra region into a state of shock, depression and turmoil. He said as a result, employees, students, youth, farmers, artisans, women and all other sections took to protests opposing the decision of CWC. The intensity of the agitation has been increasing day by day. The TDP president said that the announcement made by AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh that TRS would merge with Congress clearly reflects the narrow political thinking of Congress party for its own political gain. The inconsistent statements of Digvijay Singh about status of Hyderabad further aggravated the situation in all parts of the state.

He said when a decision of this magnitude having severe repercussions concerning the future of 8.5 crore people of the state is taken, it is expected that the Government of India would consult all the stake-holders before taking a final decision. Even in a family dispute, the head of the family and the elders of the village would bring in conciliation to sort out the dispute between the family members and find an amicable solution.

Unfortunately, in this case, the Congress party conducted itself as if it was their internal affair. Since 2004 the Congress party has adopted a flip flop policy each time to appease one region or the other for political advantage. Naidu further said unlike bifurcation of other states since Independence of India, the proposed bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh is unique. In the earlier cases it was separation from the parent state while in case of Andhra Pradesh, majority of the people are forced to build a new state from scratch. The careless and casual manner in which the CWC and Government announced its decision has led to friction and hatred among Telugu- speaking people.

Referring to the issue of Hyderabad, Naidu said that the progressive city has been developed with the combined efforts of people from all over the state. Hyderabad has been transformed into a global city during TDP rule with innovative initiatives and had emerged as a knowledge hub. The city has seen unprecedented growth due to the investments that were attracted during TDP regime. The entire Seemandhra region is emotionally disturbed about their likely separation from Hyderabad and hence he said, the Prime Minister should immediately intervene and address the concerns of the agitating people, he added.