Why does telangana want to split

A quasi-unitary nation evolved into a truly federal nation. Happily, the verdict in both AP and Telangana safeguards our federal polity. The decimation of the Congress in AP, and the rejection of both the Congress and the BJP in Telangana despite their claims of being instrumental in the formation of the new state ensured that no major party will indulge in reckless adventurism for short-term political gains in dealing with the complex and sensitive issue of formation of new states.

It is now almost certain that the earlier position of building a consensus in the state and obtaining its consent before redrawing its boundaries has been restored. But the creation of the new states was also an opportunity to rethink governance, correct past mistakes and chart out a new course. Here, the record in both states is mixed, thanks to the high propensity for centralization and arbitrariness displayed by the two chief ministers— K.

Chandrasekhara Rao and N. Chandrababu Naidu. In both states, governments deliberately indulged in partisan rhetoric calculated to rouse regional sentiments and score cheap political points. The allotment of officers and staff has been acrimonious and prolonged, and is still not completed.

On the management of irrigation projects—notably Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar on the Krishna river—there is heightened tension and rhetoric. In fact, the police of the two states fought a pitched battle in Nagarjunasagar, an unprecedented event in modern India.

Even officials of all-India services have failed to exercise restraint and balance—cases are registered against each other, and officials often talked out of turn in public to play to the gallery or please their political masters. What is more, both chief ministers have been in a reckless race for competitive populism, potentially undermining the future of their states.

Andhra Pradesh has special problems because of the loss of revenue as well as job opportunities on account of losing Hyderabad. The Union government gave a commitment to make special grants to help meet revenue deficits, and the 14th Finance Commission made a provision. Unless the state learns to exercise fiscal prudence, the resource crunch will worsen with time, and will retard the growth of a region with immense potential.

Despite the loss of Hyderabad, AP has great advantages—a hunger for education, high-quality human resources, low birth rates, water and mineral resources, agricultural surplus, a culture of entrepreneurship and risk taking, and a long coastline. However, the AP government is excessively focused on building the new capital Amaravathi as a mega city on par with Hyderabad. Telangana was part of the princely state of Hyderabad. The Union hovernment integrated Hyderabad state into the Indian Union after an armed action popularly known as the police action in In , Andhra Pradesh was created by combining Telangana with Andhra state which was a part of the Madras Presidency until The people of Telangana were against integration with the Andhra State.

The reasons for the opposition were listed out by the States Reorganisation Commission SRC , headed by Fazal Ali: "One principal cause of opposition to Vishalandhra" according to the SRC report "seems to be the apprehension felt by the educationally backward people of Telangana that they may be swamped and exploited by the more advanced people of coastal areas.

In spite of the recommendations made in the SRC report, Congress leaders from coastal Andhra continued their demand for Vishalandhra not only to satisfy the Telugu sentiments but to resolve the economic problems faced by the Andhra state. Vishalandhra was envisaged to "solve the difficult and vexing problem of finding a permanent capital for Andhra.

In view of economic gains involved, the Andhra leaders not only supported Vishalandhra but also actively pursued it. In the beginning, the central leadership was not in favour of Vishalandhra. In October , Nehru criticised the idea of Vishalandhra as bearing a tint of "expansionist imperialism". But subsequently he changed his views due to pressure from the leaders of the Andhra region.

Andhra region was actively involved in the national movement. Hence the Congress leaders from the region had strong ties with the national leaders. They used their contacts to persuade Nehru to accept the demand for Vishalandhra. The struggle for representative government led by the Hyderabad State Congress in the erstwhile Hyderabad state remained outside the national movement. Therefore the Congress leaders from Hyderabad had only tenuous contacts with the national leaders.

After the Central government took a firm decision to form Vishalandhra, the protagonists of the separate state could not continue their battle any further as Chenna Reddy, a prominent leader of the Hyderabad State Congress, and a staunch separatist, admitted, "Nehru's stature loomed large.

It was difficult to oppose him. Now we believe that we had made a mistake. Had we insisted for a separate state without fear, it would have emerged. There were widespread protests in Telangana against the decision to merge Telangana with the Andhra State. Under these circumstances to placate the opposition to Vishalandhra in the Telangana region, leaders of the Andhra state offered certain safeguards through an agreement known as the Gentlemen's Agreement.

Among other things, it assured that "for the Telangana there will be a regional standing committee of the state assembly belonging to that region -legislation relating to specified matters will be referred to the regional committee. The Regional Committee failed because "more powerful men from the Andhra area now dominated the political scene and the Telangana leaders had to play the supporting role.

The political articulation of various groups of Telangana and their relationship with the political institutions at the state level was mediated by forces outside the region. In this political process, the Regional Committee could not operate as an autonomous body. Power wielded by the Andhra leaders is not an individual attribute.

It is an outcome of the socio-economic processes. Well organised and articulate elite emerged in Andhra region from the mid-nineteenth century onwards as a consequence of the growth of irrigation, development of modern education system, rise of modern political institutions and social reform movements.

On the contrary, oppressive political institutions prevented social transformation in the Telangana region. The safeguards guaranteed by the Gentlemen's Agreement could not offer any protection to the Telangana region. In a third world country like India, the state is actively involved in building a modern society. Sent to AP Assembly. Assembly debates the bill for over a month. Finally, rejects it on January Population: 3. Population: 5 crore census ; 60 per cent of AP state population.

Hyderabad remains with Telangana. Will function as joint capital for both. Control over Krishna and Godavari waters Catchment of 68 per cent Krishna, 69 per cent Godavari river. But so far, Telangana got only 32 per cent Krishna water. Agitators said should get 70 per cent. Benefits of irrigation canals, 74 per cent Coastal Andhra, 18 per cent Telangana, 8 per cent Rayalaseema, 45 per cent of AP's forest area in Telangana across five districts.

Only 20 per cent AP's government employees were from Telangana, Population-wise, should have been 40 per cent, more than 6 lakh. In reality, barely 3 lakh. Less than 5 per cent department heads in AP government were from Telangana. As A State Telangana's per capita income, 10th highest in country, notch above all-India average.

Among all states, at 15th place. Within AP, coastal Andhra is superior economic entity, considered rice bowl. Now loses control over rivers Krishna and Godavari, loses control over mineralrich Telangana region.

Compared to Telangana and Andhra, Rayalaseema worse off in industry. Flight of capital from Rayalaseema to Karnataka with Reddy community investing in real estate and industry in Karnataka. There is a perception that Andhra region is exploitative.

With Telangana carved out, there is a possibility of a demand for Greater Rayalaseema statehood. Telangana state will seek its share in river waters which could affect Coastal Andhra. How will Coastal Andhra generate revenue to run since Hyderabad is a prime source of revenue. Coastal Andhra could lose an investment destination if Hyderabad becomes part of Telangana. Coastal Andhra districts like Prakasam, Krishna, Guntur and Nellore could see increase in business activity.

Hyderabad as shared capital will give a sense of security to migrants from coastal Andhra. Hyderabad - Secundarabad twin cities have a population of over 70 lakh. Most of the industries are located in and around these two cities.