The Rajampet

KADAPA: Leaders of the Congress, Telugu Desam Party and some public organisations strongly voiced the ‘Samaikyandhra' demand before the Srikrishna Committee in Kadapa Zilla Parishad meeting hall on Wednesday, but Bharatiya Janata Party leaders abstained from the meeting. Congress MLC Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy said an integrated State was imperative in order to ensure completion of irrigation projects under Jalayagnam and development of the backward Rayalaseema region on par with Telangana. Hyderabad city developed with the contribution and investment of people of all regions and became a hub of employment and livelihood for the professionally qualified youth.

Kadapa Zilla Parishad Chairman D. Jyothi Reddy also wanted a unified State. The district was being neglected after YSR's demise and division of the State would leave it in a lurch and youth might be driven towards naxalism, she observed.

National integrity

MLA of Proddatur Mallela Linga Reddy (TDP) favoured an integrated State to ensure national integrity and avert vitiation of law and order. Flaying the claims of Telangana Rashtra Samiti, Mr. Linga Reddy said they floated the slogan of backwardness initially, but were now raking up the self-respect slogan.

Kadapa Mayor P. Ravindranath Reddy and Congress corporators wanted a united State until the backward areas in Rayalaseema region were developed in all aspects on a par with Telangana region. Rayalaseema can sustain with the natural water and human resources from other regions and hence the State should not be split.

Interestingly, leaders of all the SC, ST organisations represented to Srikrishna Committee demanded carving out each of the three regions in Andhra Pradesh as separate States. Citing the neglect of tribal people in the agency areas even when they were prone to epidemics and deprivation of their rights, they said they failed to benefit in a unified State.

Development of SCs and STs was marginal in the united State as it ensured the development of a small percentage of the communities, Ambedkar Mission general secretary A. A. Sampath Kumar, Mala Mahanadu leader J.V. Ramana, Dalita Hakkula Porata Samithi leader J.C. Subbarayudu, Democratic Teachers Federation president Srinivasulu and NGO representatives - P. Siva Reddy (CHRD) and Nageswara Naidu of Jana Chaitanya Sangham said in one voice.

Rayalaseema Rashtra Samiti president Kuncham Venkatasubba Reddy reiterated his demand for separate Rayalaseema. A.P. NGOs Association president Siva Reddy and secretary Ramamurthy Naidu demanded continuation of the State as one entity and opposed its bifurcation.

The BJP leaders abstained questioning the legality of Srikrishna committee and added that the party was in favour of smaller States. Party leader Dhananjaya Reddy said they would demand separate Rayalaseema if Statehood was granted to Telangana region.

Nellore visit today

Nellore Staff Reporter adds: Members of Srikrishna Committee which is collecting opinion from the people in Coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema and Telangana districts in the State on separate Telangana demand, will tour in Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district on Thursday.

The panel will interact with various sections of people including students, political leaders, employees, NGOs and study the lifestyles of Yanadi tribals, fishermen and minorities in different villages in the district. The members will also organise meetings with the officials and public on the occasion.