The bitter war of words between leaders of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh continued on Thursday, with Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao accusing Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of fuelling animosity between people of the two States with his attitude on several issues including division of employees, power purchase agreements, Polavaram project, Krishna water and others.
Speaking to newspersons at the Secretariat, Mr. Harish Rao claimed that during the powerpoint presentations shown to investors from other States and countries, Mr. Naidu and his Cabinet colleagues were trying to project as if Telangana has power and naxalite problems.
Mr. Naidu’s offer to sit across the table and resolve issues was not sincere as it was not reflecting in his actions and attitude, Mr Rao said. He recalled that it was Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao who had reiterated his resolve to have cordial relations with neighbouring States, including AP. He said if the Telangana government was inciting people, AP government would not have functioned smoothly in Hyderabad.
Influencing CentreMr. Rao said TDP leaders from Telangana were also finding fault with Mr. Naidu’s action in influencing the Centre to transfer seven mandals in Khammam to AP. He took objection to Mr. Naidu’s comments on demolition of illegal structures in Hyderabad and sought to know whether he would justify encroachments and land-grabbing. The Telangana government would be ready to discuss any issue with AP provided Mr. Naidu and his Cabinet colleagues stopped provoking people and fuelling animosity, he added.
