SM Fasiullah for BeyondHeadlines
People of Telangana are jumping with joy and celebrating an apparent victory for their long-running struggle for a separate state, primarily with a hope to see the region prosper in the near future.
While many political parties are welcoming the much needed announcement of UPA giving nod for the creation of Telangana state, some are skeptical that this may worsen the situation.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM or MIM) has always opposed the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh state, despite the fact that it has good fan base in the Telangana region, particularly in Hyderabad.
In an interview a day before the CWC announcement, MIM Supremo and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi expressed that the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh would lead to many challenges, including safety for minorities and revenue distribution.
Mr. Owaisi also reasoned that BJP would be the only beneficiary if Telangana State becomes reality, while Congress and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) would be losers.
In addition, Mr. Owaisi noted that the formation of Telangana State may help his party but feared that “community (Muslim) has to pay a huge cost”.
He’s skeptical that if BJP becomes powerful in Telangana after formation of the state then it would be problematic for the community as the programs and measures that BJP adopt are known. He said that’s why his party is opposing it.
While addressing a press conference today at MIM headquarters in Hyderabad, Mr. Owaisi said his party accepts the decision of Congress-led UPA Government for Telangana State.
He reiterated that with the change in political scenario, several communal forces may try to strengthen in the state and gain control through the politics of hatred.
Moreover, Mr. Owaisi demanded Urdu be made first language along with Telugu and Hyderabad resources be spent on the city only. He also asked for reservation for minorities based on their population in both the states.
On the other hand, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has questioned why the Union government did not table the Srikrishna Committee report on Telangana before the Parliament for discussion.
TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu has sought the Centre’s support for the development of a new capital city for Andhra Pradesh state, which should be “on par with Hyderabad”.
He asked the central government to constitute a committee of experts to assess the quantum of funds required to develop a new capital city for Andhra Pradesh state subsequent to the formation of Telangana state.
“According to our rough estimates, a staggering Rs 4-5 lakh crore will be required to build a new capital and comprehensively create necessary infrastructure. The new capital should be developed on par with Hyderabad,” Mr. Naidu told reporters in Hyderabad.
Welfare Party of India (WPI), Andhra Pradesh also welcomed the UPA-led government’s decision allowing separate state of Telangana.
“We hope the people of both the regions now strengthen their bonds further to avoid any tensions and violence in both the regions,” the party said in a press release.
“After so many representations, commissions, dialogues, suicides now the ruling party cleared the way for the formation of new state which would become reality only when the Parliament enacts the law and passage of bill.
“We are hopeful of peaceful transformation and prosperity in both the regions and safeguard of interests of the people not the interests of Political parties.”
