June 2 is the saddest day for the north Andhra region, particularly for the backward areas of Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts, as they will lose their emotional bond with the historic city of Hyderabad.
People of Bobbili and Sitanagaram are not excited about TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s elevation to Chief Minister of Telangana even as his family has roots in these areas. The decision of the TRS to contest from the Bobbili Lok Sabha seat in 2004 gave enough indications that KCR’s family had attachment to Bobbili. Interestingly, KCR’s forefathers belonged to Buddipeta village of Sitanagaram mandal in Vizianagaram district.
According to local people, the division of the State is detrimental to the interests of backward areas like Vizianagaram, as the district will not get funds owing to severe financial constraints likely to be faced by Andhra Pradesh.
“KCR might have belonged to this part of the region long ago. But, his elevation does not make us happy, since he is responsible for the division of the State. Now, every family in Andhra Pradesh is disturbed,” said G. Eswara Rao, a resident of Bobbili.
“Normally, locals will be happy if a person from their area reaches a position of eminence. But, KCR’s appointment as Chief Minister embarrassed us. Of course, his elevation has become a topic everywhere,” said Kolluru Ramarao, a businessman from Saluru near Bobbili.
Family links“KCR used to say that Srikakulam and Vizianagaram were also equally backward like the Telangana areas. He might have said it because of his family’s links to this area,” felt V. Bangaru Lakshmi, a teacher from Vizianagaram.
Samaikyandhra Parirakshana Samiti leader G. Narsu Naidu suggested: “The division of the State has become history now. At least the new government should strive for the implementation of the North Andhra package announced by the State government.”
