The Union Cabinet's decision to create a separate state of Telangana has received a mixed response. While supporters of the decision are celebrating, those who oppose it are protesting. Four Union Ministers have offered to resign in protest against the Cabinet decision.
They are M M Pallam Raju, K. Chiranjivi, K S Rao and Surya Prakash Reddy. Pallamraju said that the Prime Minister has asked him not to act in haste. Normal life has been hit due to the 48-hour bandh call by Pro-United Andhra employees of the State Government.
The YSR Congress Party also gave a separate call for a 72-hour bandh. Our Hyderabad correspondent reports that vehicular traffic has come to a standstill on highways at several places in Seemandhra region with protestors erecting blockades. Security has been tightened at university campuses.
Ministers, MPs and MLAs from Seemandhra regions will be meeting in Hyderabad this morning to discuss their future course of action.
Welcoming the cabinet decision, Telangana Rashtra Samiti President K. Chandrashekhar Rao called upon the people to be vigilant till both the Houses of Parliament approve the bill. Several state ministers and Parliament Members from Telangana region thanked the Cabinet for the decision.
Supporting the decision Andhra Pradesh BJP chief Kiran Reddy demanded that the committee of Union Ministers should prepare its report expeditiously and do justice to both regions.
CPI State Secretary K. Narayana said that the feeling of insecurity and fear over sharing of resources should be dispelled by the Centre soon. Our correspondent reports that celebrations broke out in Telangana region as the cabinet nod for formation of the new Telangana state has cleared the path for realizing the people’s dream of having their own state. At the same time, the decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh erupted in anger in Raylaseema and Coastal Andhra regions -together being called Seemnadhra.
The employees who are striking work for the past 65 days in Seemandhra region have called for a 48-hour long bandh due to which normal life has been hit since this morning. The agitators also demanded that all public representatives should resign protesting against the bifurcation. The cabinet decision also caused hectic political activity in Hyderabad.
A series of meetings are being held across party lines to discuss and decide the future course of action. Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy will be meeting Seemandhra ministers and senior congress leaders while TDP and YSR Congress party which are opposing the decision on separate grounds convened crucial meetings this morning. TRS party leaders will also meet to review the situation.
As already reported the Union Cabinet approved the creation of a separate state of Telangana at its meeting last evening. It also approved the setting up of a group of ministers to decide formalities for the creation of the new state.
Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde told reporter in New Delhi after the meeting that Hyderabad will be the joint capital of Telangana and Seemandhra for ten years. The Group of Ministers will look into special financial disbursement for the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh.
