Popping up the Rayal Telangana issue at this crucial juncture is the conspiracy of Congress to scuttle the Samiakyandhra agitation and a meek effort stop the groundswell of popularity YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is getting throughout the region, YSR Congress has said.
“Bringing up the Rayal Telangana issue is only to water down the Samaikyandhra agitation as the Congress and TDP put together are unable to face YS Jagan Mohan Reddy politically. This conspiracy will not stand as people could see through the dubious designs of divide-and-rule and we condemn it, “party deputy floor leader Sobha Nagi Reddy told reporters here on Monday.
Creating a wedge between the people of Rayalaseema and splitting it to balance arithmetic is not an acceptable fact as no public opinion was sought on the division of the four districts of the region. Some leaders may have been propagating the idea for personal gains but in the larger interests of the people are ignored as three leaders, Kotla Suryaprakash Reddy, TG Venkatesh and JC Diwakar Reddy cannot be the voice of the entire Rayalaseema.
Instead of solving one problem, the Centre is trying to create more problems and complicate the issue and the Centre has no right to divide Rayalaseema. No one has asked for it and there was no demand for such meaningless division, she said.
Congress is unable to tell the basis on which it is splitting the state, if backwardness is the reason Rayalseema is more backward. If sentiment is the reason it is very strong in favour of a united state.
“Sri Krishna Committee in its report has clearly said that Rayalaseema is more backward that Telangana. If two districts are cut off and merged with the new state, the people of Kurnool and Ananthapur will be like poor cousins. This is not acceptable and if a union minister takes resolution of some panchayats that does not need not be the opinion of the people of the entire region.
If two or three Congress leaders raise the issue of Rayal Telangana only to safeguard their position as the wave of YSRCP is sweeping very strong in Rayalaseema, it does not mean that the proposal is acceptable to all. Even, TRS, TJAC and Telangana Congress leaders are not willing for the merger of Kurnool and Ananthapuram districts.
The proposal is irrational and Rayalaseema will lose its identity by splitting into two. The Union Ministers and Congress leaders of the region are speaking in different voices which have given scope for Sonia Gandhi to go ahead with the division process. While political leaders of Telangana region, cutting across party affiliations, are untied and speaking in one voice, the same is not the case with Seemandhra leaders which speaks of disunity and weakness. While Chiranjeevi asks for Union Territory, Purandeswari wants Visakhaptanam as the new capital and others are seeking a package.
The multiple versions by Congress leaders have strengthened the high command will to divide the state. In a state that has 42 MPs, we could not get our works done and are at the mercy of high command. The neighbouring Tamil Nadu on the other hand, despite political differences back home, will be united in the fight to get projects and funds from the Centre.
All parties should come together in the fight by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in keeping the State united. He had already stated that he will work with anyone whoever leads the agitation for a united state.
Meanwhile, in separate press conference, Party spokesperson Gattu Ramachandra Rao flayed TDP leaders for their uncharitable remarks on him.
“We do not go personal while taking media. Our differences are political and they are based on ideology. They can condemn my statement on the TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu and his role in under utilization of Krishna waters. But going personal and stooping to low levels is not a democratic practice. “I stick to my stand and reiterate that Chandrababu Naidu is responsible for the water crisis and the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal verdict as he did not take up any irrigation project while he was chief minister and failed to complete the ones taken up by NTR.
The budgetary allocations and projects taken up by Naidu and YSR are on public domain for verification. If Thummala Nageshwara Rao, who held the major irrigation portfolio speaks unparliamentary language, it is for his wisdom but if he wants to settle personal scores, I can dole out the facts about the wealth he has amassed after entering politics. I am prepared for a debate on the issue of his assets, he challenged the TDP leader.