Refrain from provocative statements on Hyderabad: Lok Satta

The Lok Satta Party today took exception to the statements of certain Telangana leaders on the status of Hyderabad as the joint capital of Telangana and residual Andhra Pradesh.

State Lok Satta Party President Katari Srinivasa Rao pointed out in a media statement that people in Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema have launched the united Andhra Pradesh movement fearing that their safety and prospects in Hyderabad will be jeopardized if the State is divided.

The statements by certain Telangana leaders and associations that they will not agree to Hyderabad being retained as the joint capital for 10 years will merely complicate the issue instead of leading to a solution. As a result of their statements, Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema people conclude there is no alternative to agitating for a united Andhra Pradesh. Those who genuinely seek formation of a separate Telangana State should understand the concerns of those who want the State to remain intact and adopt a give-and-take attitude to resolve the issue.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao said that people of Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema are paying the price for concentration of political power, administration and economic development in Hyderabad city by successive Governments. Telangana leaders should appreciate they are victims of perverse politics and failed leadership.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao said that the Congress Party sparked the united Andhra Pradesh agitation by its dictatorial decision to divide the State as if it were a party matter and without considering the concerns of Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema people regarding Hyderabad city and other matters. All of us should strive to address their concerns and dispel their fears, said Mr. Srinivasa Rao.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao counseled Telangana leaders to refrain from statements like “We won’t agree to keeping Hyderabad as common capital even for ten days”, “The number of employees who took part in the Save Andhra Pradesh meeting did not equal even the number of drivers who took part in Telangana employees’ meetings”, “Government employees will have no options” and “There will be reprisals.”

Mr. Srinivasa Rao appealed to Telangana leaders to join in efforts to finding a comprehensive and amicable solution and ending political uncertainty in the State. They should not become pawns in certain parties’ games to garner votes by splitting Telugu speaking people. They should resolve problems among themselves and fight together for Central funds.