KCR
TRS Leader
‘This is Not the Telangana that We Wanted’
TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao is preparing to be sworn-in as the first chief minister of Telangana on June 2. He drops enough hints that he would not leave the issues that were left unresolved during the bifurcation, but is yet to come out with his action plan.
“The Telangana that we have got is not the Telangana that we wanted,” he says, expressing displeasure over provisions like one Governor for two states, with law and order powers over Hyderabad in his hands.
Chandrasekhara Rao is at present dealing with allotment of employees to Andhra and Telangana states. He says he would turn away any Andhra employee from Telangana Secretariat even if one is so allotted officially.
“Andhra employees should serve Andhra government and Telangana employees the Telangana state. What is wrong with this?” he asks.
It remains to be seen how the relations would pan out between Telangana state and the Centre, particularly in the wake of Chandrasekhara Rao befriending MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who wants to use TRS to check the resurgence of Hindutva forces in Hyderabad.
Declaring the `38,500-crore Pranahita-Chevella project, which benefits seven Telangana districts, as a national project. For declaring it as a national project, it requires clearances which are pending with the Centre. AP Govt has already spent `1,600 crore on the project.
Modi’s reaction: NDA will help in its execution.
Chandrasekhara Rao is against the proposed transfer of over 200 villages in seven mandals of Bhadrachalam division in Khammam district to Seemandhra as they would be submerged when the Polavaram irrigation project is taken up.
Modi’s reaction: Narendra Modi has not yet reacted to this.
The Telangana state will require huge funding from the Centre to take up construction of power generation stations. Installed capacity in Telangana as of now is 4,000 MW, but consumption is close to 8,000 MW.
Modi’s reaction: Modi did not specify how he will augment power generation, but instead spoke of irrigation.
The TRS chief is expected to bring pressure on the Centre to transfer control of law and order and administration of Hyderabad to Telangana government.
Modi’s reaction: It is for the protection of Andhra staff and others.
Naidu
TDP Leader
‘I Want to Move to My State Immediately’
Andhra Chief Minister-to-be N Chandrababu Naidu is in a hurry to begin the process of rebuilding Seemandhra region from scratch. As soon as his swearing-in ceremony is over, which is likely to be after June 8, Naidu wants to get down to the brass tacks.
He says his first priority is to find the right place for locating the capital city of residuary Andhra Pradesh. He also wants development to be evenly spread. “We have learnt some lessons and I do not want to repeat the mistakes,” he says.
Naidu, by joining NDA at the Centre, hopes to derive the maximum benefit of being an ally, for the reconstruction of Seemadhra. TDP was not a partner in Vajpayee government, but this time, it wants to so as to facilitate faster development.
Naidu has also indicated that he would like to move to Seemandhra as early as possible. He is scouting for a camp office in his state and similar accommodation for senior officers like the CS and DGP there.
He said he has a great vision for the development of Seemandhra. “I want to develop cities the size of Hyderabad in each district. I have a great vision and you will see it for yourself,” he said.
Chandrababu Naidu’s first priority is to build a modern capital for Seemandhra. He is already looking for a suitable place for the capital city, which is accessible to the people of both North Costal Andhra and Rayalaseema districts.
Modi’s reaction: The Centre will act as a catalyst. The state govt and political leadership should provide the atmosphere.
Naidu would also pitch for the establishment of IIT, NIT, IIM, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Central University, petroleum university, agricultural university and IIIT in Seemandhra, as promised.
Modi’s reaction: The Centre will focus on attracting investment. It would help the state, according priority to IT etc.
Chandrababu Naidu would lobby for special focus on the development of the backward Rayalaseema region. Naidu himself hails from Chittoor district in the region and would work for its growth, particularly on the irrigation front .
Modi’s reaction: First priority would be to help the state in early execution of pending irrigation projects.
Naidu will also want to lobby for feasibility study by IOC or HPCL for setting up a crude oil factory and petrochemical complex, and for a similar study on Vizag-Chennai growth corridor.
Modi’s reaction: Modi has not yet reacted to this, but spoke on spurring industrial growth.