New Delhi:
The government is likely to take a big step today towards carving out a new Telangana state with Hyderabad as its capital, despite strong protests from its own leaders in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema, who have even hinted at mass resignation to stop the division of Andhra Pradesh.
The cabinet is likely to take up the Telangana proposal this evening, according to which Hyderabad will initially be a joint capital and ultimately the capital of Telangana.
The proposal, initially cleared by the ruling Congress on July 30, has been fiercely opposed by its own party men in Andhra Pradesh, including Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy.
Upset Congress ministers and lawmakers are reportedly debating mass resignations and meeting at the chief minister's office in Hyderabad to discuss how to stop the division, seen as inevitable ahead of elections due by May, where pro-Telangana parties are hoping for big gains.
One of the protesting ministers, TG Venkatesh, told NDTV, "We have made so many requests to the high command. There is no question of dividing the state, no question of losing Hyderabad. We are trying to unite all anti-bifurcation forces."
Another minister Kasu Krishna Reddy threatened "drastic action" to save Andhra Pradesh.
The new state will comprise 10 districts, including Hyderabad. Hyderabad is to be the common capital of both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for 10 years.
The group of ministers is likely to be cleared by the cabinet today to go into issues like the sharing of water and other resources after Andhra Pradesh's bifurcation.
The cabinet is likely to take up the Telangana proposal this evening, according to which Hyderabad will initially be a joint capital and ultimately the capital of Telangana.
The proposal, initially cleared by the ruling Congress on July 30, has been fiercely opposed by its own party men in Andhra Pradesh, including Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy.
Upset Congress ministers and lawmakers are reportedly debating mass resignations and meeting at the chief minister's office in Hyderabad to discuss how to stop the division, seen as inevitable ahead of elections due by May, where pro-Telangana parties are hoping for big gains.
One of the protesting ministers, TG Venkatesh, told NDTV, "We have made so many requests to the high command. There is no question of dividing the state, no question of losing Hyderabad. We are trying to unite all anti-bifurcation forces."
Another minister Kasu Krishna Reddy threatened "drastic action" to save Andhra Pradesh.
The new state will comprise 10 districts, including Hyderabad. Hyderabad is to be the common capital of both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for 10 years.
The group of ministers is likely to be cleared by the cabinet today to go into issues like the sharing of water and other resources after Andhra Pradesh's bifurcation.
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