In what promises to be a politically significant event, the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are set to meet again for the customary ‘At Home’ in connection with the Republic Day at Raj Bhavan on January 26.
Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu and Mr. K. Chandrasekhar Rao had met last time on Independence Day and it was followed up by further consultations between them at Raj Bhavan two days later to iron out differences.
The proposed meeting was announced by Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan at the ‘Praja Darbar’ which he organised by throwing open the Raj Bhavan to the public in connection with the New Year on Thursday. He also promised to arrange regular meetings between Mr. Naidu and Mr. Rao to resolve issues between the two States.
Praise for two CMsAdmitting that there were unresolved issues, Mr. Narasimhan told mediapersons that they could not be sorted out overnight. It was natural to have problems in new States. He showered praise on the Chief Ministers saying they were efficient and went ahead with a vision.
As the Governor longing for the welfare and development of Telugu-speaking people, Mr. Narasimhan said he would like to advice the Chief Ministers as a friend, philosopher and guide.
On the standoff between the two governments over conduct of EAMCET, the Governor said he had given two options to them and awaited their reports. He added that he would take up the representation of MLAs in Bhadrachalam division seeking voice in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly on the problems of villages that faced submergence due to Polavaram project.
EAMCET controversyA number of people from various walks of life, employees, public, students and leaders called on the Governor to offer their greetings for the New Year. KCR is said to have raised the EAMCET controversy with Mr. Narasimhan in their one-on-one meeting for nearly 90 minutes at the end. The Telangana government had on the previous evening issued an order that it would conduct EAMCET and offer the facility to students from Andhra Pradesh also.
The order said a representative of AP shall be included as a member in the admissions committee of Telangana government for the conduct of the test in AP and subsequently in the common admission process for the 15 per cent open category seats in the two States.