Andhra Pradesh should not be divided, notwithstanding the tremendous inconvenience being caused by the “separatists,” said Congress Ministers, MLAs, and MLCs at the Samaikyandhra Congress elected representatives' conference here on Saturday.
All the seven Ministers who attended the meeting said they did not want the State to be divided “come what may.”
‘Repeat of history'
Primary Education Minister and Samaikyandhra Legislators' Forum convener S. Sailajanath said the MLAs were ready to forgo their position in the government and ready to sacrifice their lives for a united State.
Minister for Minor Irrigation T.G. Venkatesh said history was repeating itself. The wealth of Rayalaseema was earlier invested in Madras, the first Capital. All that went to Tamil Nadu when Andhra Pradesh was formed. After that, wealth was invested in Hyderabad. And, if the State was divided again that would go to Telangana.
Minister for Law Erasu Prathap Reddy said during late 60s, the Telangana area was backward. “But that is no more the situation now. Now the dispute is about government posts,” he said.
The primary grouse was that important posts were not being given to Telangana people. “This is a very minor issue and can be resolved through discussion. Today, Hyderabad contributes 70 per cent of the State budget. If it is given to Telangana, what will happen to the rest of the State?” he questioned.
Cooperation Minister Kasu Venkata Krishna Reddy said Telangana problem cannot be resolved overnight. He urged the Congress legislators to form a sub-committee to take the message of Samaikyandhra to the grassroots.
Secondary Education Minister Kolusu Parthasaradhi, disagreeing with the proposal to have a candidate for the Chief Minister post on rotation basis, said if they fight just for power there was no need to give them anything. The genuine problems of Telangana should be addressed in which ever way possible.
‘Blackmail politics'
Minister for Rural Development Dokka Manikya Varaprasad said the State should be united. Social Welfare Minister Pithani Satyanarayana, summing up, said the State could not be divided into pieces at any cost. But “blackmail” politics of Telangana leaders should be countered. The allegations and rumours being spread by these leaders about the Congress and leaders of other regions should be refuted, he said.
