Telangana cleared as India's 29th state

• Of the 19 ministers meeting with Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, some have resigned.
• The chief minster called Digvijaya Singh, Congress General Secretary incharge of Andhra Pradesh. Mrs Singh also spoke to the ministers over phone.
• 26 Congress MLAs reportedly  submitted their resignation at the Speaker's chambers.
• 14 TDP MLAs also claimed to have resigned to get justice for Seemandhra.

• It is a tricky situation and we'll have to work around this.
• Can't say there was broad consensus in Andhra Pradesh on Telangana.
• We'll have to go though with implementation soon, demand for a separate state of Telangana was on of the oldest demands.
• Bill on Telangana unlikely in the Monsoon session.

14 ministers in Andhra Pradesh have threatened to resign this evening, according to sources, to protest against the bifurcation of the state.

• Today's announcement ends a chapter in the history of Andhra Pradesh, which was formed November 1, 1956 with the merger of Telangana (then known as Hyderabad State) with Andhra State.
• Andhra Pradesh will become India's first non-Hindi-speaking  linguistic state to be divided. Carved out of Madras State in 1953, it was the first state to be formed on linguistic basis.
• Andhra Pradesh was India's fifth most populous state, with a population of 84.6 million. Spread over 275,000 square km, it ranked fourth among Indian states in terms of geographical area.
• Telangana will have a population of 35.38 million and an area of 1.14 lakh square km.
• During the 'Jai Telangana' movement in 1969, over 300 people, mostly students, were killed in police firing.
• With this, the central government has fulfilled its December 9, 2009 announcement to initiate the process for forming Telangana state. The statement followed an 11-day hunger strike by TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao and massive protests that engulfed the region.

The Government should bring the Bill for creation of separate state of Telangana in the coming session of Parliament.

- Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwarajbjp) July 30, 2013

Creation of Telangana- the struggle and the road ahead

Dear Brothers and Sisters from all regions of Andhra Pradesh,

Namaskaram! I am looking forward to interacting with all of you on 11^th August at the Nava Bharath Yuva Bheri Public Rally in Hyderabad.

During the public meeting at Hyderabad, I was hoping to share my thoughts on the issue of statehood for Telangana as well as on all of your concerns on a roadmap for all the regions of Andhra Pradesh.

However, in the wake of the sequence of events, the Congress Party has done in the last few days what it shied away from doing in the last 9 years- to work overtime on a decision over Telangana. It is an undisputable fact that Congress Party has neither been consistent nor transparent in its conduct over the creation of a Telangana state. Thus, a Party and a Government that has betrayed the people on the issue of Telangana time and again can hardly be trusted on this issue this time around.

It is equally true that the BJP has been forthcoming and transparent in its support for statehood to Telangana.

The BJP is the only party with the strongest record on the creation of small states. It maybe recalled that it was the NDA Government under the leadership of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee that created three new states of Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand (then known as Uttaranchal) and Jharkhand in 2000 thus giving a new ray of hope to the aspirations of the people in these areas.

Friends, the same Congress party that won in 2004 on the promise of Telangana has played cynical games with the aspirations and sentiments of the people for nine long years. Now, at a time when there are only a few months left before the people of this country vote again, the Congress Party is rushing to announce Telangana. This raises serious concerns on the seriousness and intentions of the Congress.

After winning handsomely in Andhra Pradesh under the leadership of Dr. YS Rajashekhara Reddy in 2004 and 2009, the Congress has turned its back on this state since the former Chief Minister died. In December 2009, the then Home Minister Shri P Chidambaram announced the commencement of the process for statehood to Telangana only to be withdrawn hastily. The Congress party then sought to buy time by creating another committee on the question of Telangana. But, it remained indifferent to the collapse in administration, political violence and the unfortunate specter of suicides by youngsters of Telangana. Meanwhile, governance came to a standstill in Andhra Pradesh.

While we welcome any forward movement on the issue of Telangana, we yet again ask how real is the intent of the Congress and the UPA Government this time around.

I would like to pose the following questions to the Congress party leadership and the UPA Government.

Question 1 - Where is your homework in terms of creating consensus in your own party, within the Government and within all political parties on the issue of Telangana when you have been speaking in so many divergent voices ?

Question 2 - Unlike capital cities that became shared capitals by virtue of being on the border between two states, Hyderabad becomes a shared capital despite being located well within Telangana. Thus, this does not justify the logic of sharing a capital albeit for a short duration. This leaves scope for operational difficulties.

Thus, how practical is it for a state to have a capital that does not lie neither within its boundaries nor along its borders?

Question 3 - What constructive measures have you taken to prepare the minds of the people of Andhra Pradesh and Rayalseema to welcome this decision on Telangana? What assurances have you provided to them so as to assuage their anxieties and to take them on board? Where is your "political roadmap" to creating this consensus among the people, all we have here is a "technical process" ?

Question 4 - What commitments are you prepared to make to the people of Telangana, who have already suffered severe trauma over your many betrayals, that you will not take them for a ride one more time?

Question 5 - Many youngsters of Telangana have committed suicide. Hyderabad as an investment destination has suffered, the state of Andhra Pradesh has slipped. The state once considered the rice bowl of India has seen agricultural slides making it a state with high farmer suicides.

It is indeed ironical that the Congress Party has sought to hide itself behind committees, reports and futile deliberations instead of courageously facing the people of Andhra Pradesh. Neither the Congress President nor the Congress Vice President have set foot into Andhra Pradesh in recent years, despite the fact that Andhra Pradesh sent the highest MPs for the Congress both in 2004 and 2009. Will the Congress leadership not apologize to the people of Andhra Pradesh for treating them like doormats to suit the Congress' political opportunism?

BJP's Principles for a Meaningful Roadmap to all Regions of Andhra Pradesh

• We stand by our commitment to statehood for Telangana. We however believe that the Roadmap should be such that it is a win-win solution to all the people of all regions. Statehood for one region should not be viewed as coming at the expense of another region.
• We believe that this is an Opportunity for us to develop all the other major Cities of Andhra Pradesh across all regions so Vishakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Guntur, Warangal, Karimnagar and Ongole, Anantpur Kurnool and Kadapa etc. all stand to gain.
• We respect the Constitution that Protects the Rights of all Citizens. The BJP will take every step to protect persons, families, businesses and assets of all the people of Andhra Pradesh living across regions irrespective where their roots may lie.
• We are committed to reviving the economy of all the regions of Andhra Pradesh. Law and Order, Political Stability and a Dynamic Policy Regime will be our priorities. BJP will ensure that the benefits of River Water will reach all regions and water resources sharing will be fair, just and equitable.
• We are committed to restoring Trust and Confidence once again of all regions There shall be no more cynical political games and no more betrayals.
• We are committed to preserving the shared Telugu cultural heritage of all regions that shall in no way be affected by what is merely an administrative boundary. Telugu Culture and Pride shall remain boundary-less.

This may be the first time a state formed on Linguistic basis is being proposed to be divided. It is an emotional moment.

Even at this time as the state is being divided, to respect the popular sentiment we bow our heads in respect to martyrs like the late Shri Potti Sreeramulu who sacrificed their lives for the creation of Andhra Pradesh. Inspired by their memory we commit ourselves to work for the progress of all Telugu people in each of these regions.

Yours,

Narendra Modi

• Bill needs to be passed. It is a victory of the people.
• My message to all the brothers of Andhra Pradesh: There is no need to worry. We will be together.
• On merger with Congress: Too early to say.
  

• Nothing is cast in stone, it is an ongoing process.
• Can't take a big leap, it has to be an incremental process - first step was to declare Telangana.
• Some see it as glass half-empty, others as half-full.

The Congress & the UPA have several questions to answer to the people. Sharing my letter to the people of AP http://t.co/z1E2xaCutk

- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 30, 2013

Due to the power of the people, Congress is forced to do in the last few days what it shied away from doing in the last 9 years on Telangana

- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 30, 2013

• Hyderabad as a joint-capital is not acceptable to anyone in Telangana.
• We have seen the example of Chandigarh as a joint capital.
• We would have welcomed the decision if Hyderabad was a transitory capital
  
• We would have accepted if they'd utilised the infrastructure of Hyderabad and built a capital in 2-3 years.

• It was very difficult decision. It was pending for a long time. Demand was there for last 40-50 years.
• A decision had to be taken either way. UPA has fulfilled its commitment to people of Andhra Pradesh.
• The stipulated period required for formation of a state will be adhered to, won't be extended.Doesn't matter if Andhra Pradesh Assembly does not endorse this decision as its resolution is not binding on Government of India.
• Can't allow the remaining part of Andhra Pradesh to be left in a lurch, there has to be a common capital till a new one can be formed.
• TRS has repeatedly said they will merge with Congress if we give them Telangana. We are waiting for their response.
• These decisions are not taken due to political reasons.  We had to bite the bullet, we bit the bullet.
• There is no quid pro quo. These matters are based on national interest not politics.

• All problems of Seemandhra will be kept in mind when we draft the legislation.
• In Hyderabad, there is adequate arrangement for both states to run their affairs for next 10 years.
• Govt of India will now refer the issue to state assembly for  appropriate resolution.
• Passage of resolution in state assembly is not binding on the Government of India.
• State Assembly has to accept or reject it - there is no other alternative.
• Telangana's case can't be compared to other states -  it has a long history. It was mentioned in the 1st states re-organisation commission.
• Decision not taken due to political expediency.
  
• This has no connection with elections.
• It was difficult decision. Either way a decision had to be taken.
  
• TRS had said that once Telangana is formed they will merge their party will Congress.

• Students burn tires block road outside Sri Venkateswara University.
• Students oppose carving out Telengana from Andhra Pradesh.
• Students oppose moves to make Hyderabad capital of Telangana.
  

• Ultimately it will come before the Cabinet; once Cabinet approves, it will go to Parliament.
• Most parties - including the main Opposition party, the BJP - support the decision to create Telangana, so there should be no problem.
• Most small states like Jharkhand and Chattisgarh are doing well - a demand for a smaller state needs to be administratively viable.
• Can understand the unhappiness or uneasiness of the people in Andhra.
• Don't think it has political angle, Congress and UPA may have setback in Andhra - legitimate aspiration for years has to be respected.

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Srimati Sonia Gandhi at today's UPA Coordination Committee meet pic.twitter.com/uRAp3vordK

- Dr Manmohan Singh (@PMOIndia) July 30, 2013

• Congress and the UPA government has to ensure there are no more divisions.
• Demand for smaller states will grow

• 62 per cent of the state's revenue comes from the Telangana region. In 2011-12, Rs 40,000-crore revenue came from the Telangana region while the Seemandhra region contributed Rs 13,100 crore.
• Also, 20 per cent of the government employees and 10 per cent of secretariat employees are from the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh.
• 69 per cent catchment area of two of the major rivers of the state - Krishna and Godavari - lies in the Telangana region. However, the region has held the Chief Minister's position for 10 years, while Seemandhra for 42 years

• People are agitated about their emotions and sentiments.
• Opinion had been gathered and I think it is a matter of time.
• I think the news (Andhra Pradesh CM's resignation) has been completely distorted. He is a very obedient soldier of the Congress.

• The actual formation of the state is expected to be completed by early next year.
• The cabinet will share its plans with President Pranab Mukherjee and the Andhra Pradesh legislature will be asked for insights.
• The PM will then set up a committee to negotiate consensus between the leaders from the three regions of the state for issues like how to share revenue and water.
• Both Houses of Parliament will have to then pass the resolution for the creation of a separate state.

• People here want 10 districts of Telangana with Hyderabad as capital

• Tirupati is a part of the Rayalaseema region and here there is a sense that the people are completely against carving out Telangana
• People think if Hyderabad is gone, they'll struggle for everything - education, development and there will be cultural problems
• Hyderabad as common captial not acceptable

• Hardly any paramilitary forces on the ground
• No celebrations yet, students muted
• "Congress has taken u-turn in the past, so we have our own apprehensions. Until the bill is passed in Parliament, we cannot trust Congress," said a student
• Other students hope they will get jobs and be able to utilise the resources

Maya Sharma's ground report from Vijayawada:

• Things are quite, but security forces are present
• More forces sent by Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to Andhra Pradesh
• People convinced that the announcement will be made today
• Vijayawada in the coastal region of Andhra Pradesh, which was traditionally against the formation of Telangana