Former Minister T G Venkatesh has urged the Centre either to make Kurnool as the capital of residual State of Andhra Pradesh. Else, he said that the Centre should grant statehood for Rayalaseema region.
Speaking to media persons here on Saturday, Venkatesh reminded that Kurnool served as the capital of Seemandhra State before 1956. However, the region sacrificed the State capital to keep the Telugu people united. But now the people of Rayalaseema are not ready to make more sacrifices in the light of bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, he said.
Venkatesh pointed out that the Centre has claimed that the Telangana region, which existed before 1953, was now formed as Telangana State. Then, why Kurnool, which was capital of the State in 1956, was not being made the capital of residual Andhra Pradesh State, he questioned.