Rebuilding Brand Hyderabad

Congrats, you have achieved it! How does it feel to have achieved a separate Telangana, your ultimate goal, after a long struggle?

We are happy, delighted. Achieving Telangana was the most glorious moment of our lives. It is a historic occasion and heralds the start of a momentum period. We want to thank the people who stood by us in this struggle. We also pay homage to those who sacrificed their lives for a separate Telangana.We have often been inspired by a popular saying, that “the power of people is far stronger than the people in power.”

The Telangana movement has not only reinforced our faith in democracy but also demonstrated to everyone that a non-violent struggle can succeed in contemporary times.We have the herculean task of rebuilding our state in the way it should have grown economically and otherwise. I and my party leaders will strive to make Telangana a state which will outshine on the map of the country.

Three members of your family are in the cabinet. There are accusations that it is a “family limited company” .Your comments.
In a democracy people vote you to power based on your performance and not by your family pedigree. We won with thumping majority, I am a three-time MLA from Sircilla, Harish rao has won with a majority and Kavitha, my sister, has won with a majority of 1.9 lakh votes. People have voted for our performance and not for being KCR’s children or a relative. Definitely, there is a criticism, and we will have to silence them with our performance."It is an accusation and let time silence our critics.”

You are going very aggressive in the IT sector. Are you feeling threatened by your neighboring state as Naidu has a major role to play in the formation of Hyderabad as an IT hub?

No, we do not feel threatened by our neighboring state. There was indecisiveness and the IT sector was confused over expansion. Now that a separate Telangana is achieved and there is stability we want to get on to business. We need to grow and have to make up for the slump in the last 5 years because of the uncertain situation created by politicians in Delhi and in Andhra Pradesh.

Will Hyderabad the IT hub be able to maintain its identity now that the state has shrunk in size?

The geography of Hyderabad is very strategic. It is at the centre. The location of Hyderabad, to the north-west of Andhra Pradesh state, makes it easily accessible to both North and South Indian states. The climatic conditions are very conducive. There is better infrastructure compared to other cities. In fact, the State bifurcation will have a positive impact. The Telangana agitation may have impeded the growth of many sectors in Andhra Pradesh over the past decade. With Telangana agitation culminating into a new state, the industry is hopeful of things being normal and expects that it would be easier for them to do business as usual. IT companies that have invested in Hyderabad have done so owing to the availability of good infrastructure, talent and skilled manpower which give it a competitive advantage over other states. As Hyderabad still continues to enjoy these, more and more companies would invest in Hyderabad and will now be assured of stable business environment and governance.

How would you address the issue raised by Seemandhra politicians about safety of life and property of people living in Telangana, especially in Hyderabad? What is the safety to people from Seemandra working in the IT corridor?

There is a fundamental flaw in their argument. All these years, when the agitation was on and emotions were high, nothing untoward happened. Why will anybody’s lives and property be in danger now? In the last 5 months can you cite one incident? We request the people, especially from Seemandhra staying in Telangana, not to believe in rumors. Let them be connected to leaders if they have concerns.

We want to grow as brothers. We have said this numerous times that those who have made Hyderabad as their home, including all people from Seemandhra, that Hyderabad belongs to Telangana and Telangana belongs to India. Hence there is no need for fear or worry. We do not want any confusion as we know Hyderabad will be the economic engine that will drive the state of Telangana.

What are your immediate plans?

Telangana is all set to rebuild brand Hyderabad. It plans to clear several IT companies’ expansion plans which were in cold storage during the tumultuous last four years. Among the companies which are geared up for expanding their operations in and around Hyderabad are tech majors such as Amazon, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Cognizant and Tata Consultancy Services. We have prepared a 16-point agenda for the revival of the IT sector. There was indecisiveness in the air; investors were unclear because of the political struggle.

The government plans to set up an IT governing body that will monitor various sector-related issues. We are planning to take the sector to two-tier and three-tier cities such as Nizamabad, Karimnagar and Warangal by building IT corridors in these cities along the lines of the one in Hyderabad. Special incentives and tax rebates have been planned for start-ups and investors in these corridors. Not only Hyderabad but the other districts of Telangana will also be given equal importance. We are also coming out with a comprehensive policy with regard to development with focus on research and development particularly on establishing a world class incubation centre to nourish the talent. I met the Dean, Ajit Rangenakar, and faculty of ISB and IIIT in this regard on Friday. We are also planning the first of its kind Wi-Fi enabled city.

Would KCR attend Naidu’s swearing-in ceremony?

No the divorce has just happened. Relations are strained.It is not safe for the new CM of Telangana to go to Guntur now. Relations are sour and it will take time to heal.