A Union Cabinet note has suggested Hyderabad to be the capital of Telangana post the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.
According to CNN-IBN, the note was prepared by the Home Ministry late on Wednesday and will be tabled during the Cabinet meeting at 5 pm on Thursday. The note suggests Hyderabad to be a joint capital for a period after which it will be assigned as the Telangana capital.
On 29 September, TRS President K Chandrasekhar Rao had threatened to launch another round of agitation if the Centre agreed to make Hyderabad a union territory or a separate administrative region. Rao was always against the idea of Hyderabad being a joint capital, one of the options suggested by the Congress Working Committee (CWC) in July.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy expressed regret over such a decision if approved by the Cabinet. "The party may win or lose an election, but the bifurcation will be a big loss for the entire state and all people. There will be a severe power shortage. Naxal movement might see a return. Water distribution will be a problem. Hyderabad is a hub for health facilities and education," he told the news channel.
Last week, AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh asserted that the ministry's note would be ready by the first week of October.
A high-level committee headed by Defence Minister AK Antony was to prepare the note, which would take into account concerns of all stakeholders in the state.
If the note is approved by the Cabinet, a Group of Ministers will be formed to discuss various administrative issues, related to division of water resources, educational institutions, etc, arising out of the bifurcation.
Meanwhile, the shutdown in the Seemandhra region continued on Thursday against the formation of Telangana. Transport and government offices remained mostly dysfunctional in all the 13 districts of Rayalseema and coastal Andhra.
According to reports, Seemandhra leaders will also meet on Thursday to protest against the proposed note of maintaining Hyderabad as the Telangana capital.
