Bifurcation blues: AP not to celebrate Formation Day

On June 2, the day the erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh was officially divided into two states, people of Andhra Pradesh will be reminded of the “emergency” like bifurcation in the hands of UPA government.

All the 13 district collectors were asked to publicise the way the division took place through pamphlets and short films on the injustice meted out on the people of Andhra Pradesh by the UPA government.

While the Telangana government has chalked out a series of programmes to celebrate the foundation day, residuary Andhra Pradesh will organise “Nava Nirmana Deeksha” on June 2 in Vijayawada, the temporary headquarters for all the employees. “The chief minister has asked all the employees working in Hyderabad to come to Vijayawada on that day to take part in the oath taking ceremony,” Palle Raghunatha Reddy, the state IT minister, said.

The chief minister, who has asked all his ministers to be present in Vijayawada, has said that people must not be allowed to forget the way the state was divided. “It was an emergency like period. Live coverage was cut, doors were closed and the bill was passed. We have to send a clear message to those (Congress) who have denied a capital for the people of Andhra. People should not forget this treatment. Instead of celebrating, we must re-dedicate to build a new capital,” Naidu told his cabinet colleagues.

However, the opposition parties are not amused about the “Nava Nirmana Deeksha” call given by the chief minister. “Naidu wants to harp on bifurcation issue even though TDP was a supporter of division. TDP gave a letter to the Pranab Mukherjee committee. So why he is trying to make Congress a scapegoat,” APCC Chief N Raghuveera Reddy questioned.

“A leader should go ahead and lead. Our leader K Chandrasekhar Rao braved all odds to achieve Telangana. Naidu should not paint the bifurcation as a painful event. It was Telangana that reeled under AP leaders, so we are celebrating June 2. Can Telangana wing of TDP say the same here and survive?” Telangana Finance Minister Etela Rajender asked. 

The YSRC also criticised Naidu for politicising the bifurcation issue. “Why is Naidu cribbing about the way the state was divided after one year in office? He is simply trying to cover his failures. Naidu’s government failed in all counts and this is only another gimmick to divert attention of people,” party spokesperson Ambati Rambabu said. YSRC chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy will be sitting on a two day “Samara Deeksha” on June 3 and 4 in Guntur district to highlight failures of Naidu’s government.