Contrary to earlier reports that he was not averse to the formation of two Telugu-speaking States, APCC president Botcha Satyanarayana actually made a strong pitch for a united Andhra Pradesh on the pattern of Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy’s argument.
In an 18-page presentation on July 12 to the Congress Core Committee with the title “Note on Road map on future of Andhra Pradesh – Keeping the State united or creation of Telangana State,” Mr. Satyanarayana sought creation of a Special Development Board for Telangana.
He said that though he hailed from north coastal Andhra where there was an overwhelming sentiment for keeping the State united, he said this was his opinion too on a purely rational basis.
Sensitive issue
Mr. Satyanarayana stated that AP was bigger than Germany and was in existence for over 57 years and that the bifurcation issue was a very sensitive issue dealing with the lives of over 8.40 crore people.
The agitation for a separate State was not connected with development of the region and it was set at rest by the Justice Srikrishna Committee, which established beyond doubt that Telangana accounted for the lion’s share of incremental growth and development in the agriculture, industry and service sectors.
The Telangana protagonists started their demand for a separate State in 2001 on the ground of economic backwardness and injustice meted out to them in irrigation and Government jobs. They shifted their argument to self- respect and self-rule after the region had taken the lion’s share on the economic front. Nevertheless, he highlighted as “genuine concerns” of Telangana people like injustice in recruitments to senior positions, low percentage of employees…
