Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday pulled out all the stops to woo people in Telangana, reminding them that it was the TDP that was among the first to proclaim its stand on bifurcation – that division of the State should be done in an amicable manner.
Addressing a public meeting at Mahabubnagar, he charged the UPA government with dividing the State in a hasty manner for political reasons. “Telugu-speaking people should be together emotionally and TDP is with you all the way. The party does not believe in separatist politics. We will take care of all the regions. Telangana and Rayalaseema are equal to me,” he thundered.
“I only underscored the need for Telugu-speaking people to have a secure future and that the division of the State, when it became inevitable, should be mutually agreeable,” he said. Observing that development took a new meaning during the 10-year rule of the TDP, Mr. Naidu recalled how the party’s founder, N.T. Rama Rao, had fought for Telugu pride and launched welfare schemes for the Backward Classes and every underprivileged section.
Pointing out that the youngest State of Telangana was now revenue-surplus because of Hyderabad, he sought to know whether he and the TDP government were not responsible for its development. “Give your reply in the form of your applause,” he said and was greeted by thunderous applause.
Madigas protest
Meanwhile, activists of Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi (MRPS) raised slogans as Mr. Naidu was addressing the meeting in Mahabubnagar. After half-an-hour into the speech, about five of them got up and raised slogans alleging that he had cheated their community. Even as Telugu Desam volunteers surrounded them. Mr. Naidu advised restraint, saying “Let them protest and let the police do their job. I am not worried.”
