Centre tells TS, AP to mend ways

New Delhi: The Centre has stepped in and advised both the AP and Telangana State governments to adopt a friendly approach in dealing with the contentious issues rather than politicising the same to the detriment of both the states.

• Union Home Ministry advises the govts of two Telugu states to adopt ‘give and take’ approach
• Complaints being made by both are being regarded as reflecting the immaturity of leaders

It is being said that the Prime Minister’s Office perhaps could step in finally to bring rapprochement between the squabbling cousins. The Union Home Ministry on Friday is said to have counselled the two governments to mend ways and adopt “a give and take policy” to the mutual benefit rather than seeking Centre's intervention in every issue.

"There are certain contentious issues like river water disputes etc. that need the Centre's counselling or intervention. But, nitpicking and every day politicking is neither in the

interest of AP nor TS. Hence, a cordial approach was suggested," sources in the Home Department hinted. The Centre is no mood to be blamed for inaction or to be branded as tilting towards one or the other state.

The advice given to Naidu was repeated to the Chief Secretary of Telangana State, Rajiv Sharma, it is being pointed out. The Centre, which is already besieged with several pressing political issues, is in no mood to deal with the Telugu states which are running to it every other day with a litany of complaints against the other.

The cash-for-vote case and the subsequent telephone tapping charges are the latest headaches for it with both the States knocking on the doors of the Home Ministry at regular intervals. It is viewing the same as political immaturity on part of the leaders rather than as an issue of the Telugus on both sides of the borders and hence today's intervention, it is being said.

By W CHANDRAKANTH