Andhra Pradesh’s chief minister designate N. Chandrababu Naidu Monday congratulated K. Chandrasekhara Rao, who took oath as the first chief minister of Telangana.
Mr. Naidu hoped that Telangana will achieve development under the leadership of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief.
The president of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) was addressing party workers after unfurling the national flag at the TDP office to mark the formation of Telangana state.
Mr. Naidu did not attend the swearing-in ceremony of Mr. Rao though Governor E. S. L. Narasimhan had said an invitation was sent to him. The TDP leaders felt Mr. Rao should have personally invited him.
Mr. Naidu said the two states had separated as brothers but the people would remain one as they share the common language and culture.
The TDP chief said the governments of both the states should work for development and welfare of their people.
Mr. Naidu said TDP as the ruling party in Andhra Pradesh, a partner in National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the centre and the opposition party in Telangana would fight for the interests of both the states.
He claimed that TDP always worked for the development of Telangana. He also claimed that it wrote to the central government, seeking separate statehood to the region.
Stating that he developed brand Hyderabad when he was the chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Naidu said the brand should be further strengthened and its benefits should reach the people.
Omar welcomes Telangana
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday congratulated the people of Telangana on achieving statehood.
“Congratulations to the people of Telangana. Welcome to the Club #29,” Mr. Omar said on Twitter.
Capping the decades-old struggle in the region for carving out a separate state from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana came into existence as the 29th state of India this morning.
TRS leader Chandrasekhar Rao was sworn in as Chief Minister of newly carved state.
