Centre ready to act as mediator between TS, AP: Venkaiah

Union Minister for Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday stated that the Central Government was ready to act as a mediator between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh States to sort out their differences.

Speaking to media persons here, Venkaiah Naidu said that the Centre could play the role of a mediator and could request both the States to sort out their differences by sitting across the table. However, he made it clear that the Centre could not issue any direction to any government over the contentious issues. He appreciated both the Chief Ministers - K Chandrashekar Rao (Telangana) and N Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh) for resolving the dispute over sharing of Nagarjuna Sagar water. He advised both the Chief Ministers to find amicable solutions to other contentious issues by holding direct negotiations.

Venkaiah Naidu also claimed that getting Special Status for Andhra Pradesh was a difficult and time-consuming process. He said he had already conveyed the same to the AP Government.