Rayalaseema leaders soften stand on Telangana

With the Congress High Command looking inclined towards formation of Telangana State, several leaders from Rayalaseema region appears to have softened their stand with regard to Samaikhyandhra or united Andhra Pradesh.

Initially, the Rayalaseema leaders were completely opposed to the division of the State to carve out Telangana. However, now some leaders have focussed their attention on the region that they represent. More than opposing Telangana formation, the leaders are now speaking more about the backwardness in Rayalaseema region and the options that they would prefer in case of division of Andhra Pradesh.

Union Minister of State for Railways Kotla Surya Prakash Reddy too proposed a similar alternative. Although Kotla said that his first preference was Samaikhyandhra State, he said he would not agree for division of Rayalaseem region. He said he would prefer a separate Rayalaseema State with the inclusion of Ongole and Nellore district, in case of formation of Telangana State.

Kotla said that he has already conveyed his opinion opposing division of Andhra Pradesh to PCC president Botsa Satyanarayana.

Endowments minister C Ramachandraiah, who met Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on Saturday, too explained the problems being faced by the people in Rayalaseema region. He requested Sonia Gandhi to keep the State united.