Andhra, Telangana CMs meet, agree to solve issues

Naidu and Rao: a promising beginning.

IANS/Hyderabad

The chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana yesterday agreed to solve contentious issues between the two Telugu-speaking states through talks and mutual understanding and co-operation.

Putting behind the bitterness caused by the bifurcation of the state, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his Telangana counterpart K Chandrasekhar Rao met here and decided to work together in the interest of the Telugu-speaking people of both states.

They entrusted the issue of bifurcation of employees to the chief secretaries of the two states and agreed to make a beginning to address other issues including sharing of electricity and water and admissions in professional colleges.

Accompanied by senior officials, they held talks for nearly two hours at Raj Bhavan to iron out their differences on various issues including sharing of infrastructure at the assembly building.

E S L Narasimhan, who is governor of both states, was present for the first half-an-hour. Later the chief ministers had detailed discussions.

It was the first formal meeting between the two to discuss the issues arising out of the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh since they formed governments in June. It was held at the initiative of the governor.

The meeting between Naidu and his one-time friend in the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) was held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere.

The two chief ministers later told reporters separately that they have decided to move forward with mutual co-operation for the welfare of the people.

Terming it as a good beginning, Rao said the talks were fruitful. “If necessary we will meet two to three times to sort out the issues,” said Rao, who is also chief of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS).

The Telangana chief minister told reporters that the chief secretaries would hold talks to sort out problems related to bifurcation of employees. He said bifurcation of the majority of 45,000 employees was already completed and the two officials would address the problem about the remaining employees.

KCR, as the TRS chief is popularly known, said the meeting decided to address other issues including the one related to institutions located in Hyderabad as per the agreed guidelines.

He suggested that if necessary the two states should put pressure on the central government to do justice to them by addressing the post-bifurcation issues.

Naidu hoped that the meeting would go a long way in removing the bitterness between the two states and finding an amicable solution to all problems.

“We are two states but we are one as Telugu people. It is only through talks that we can solve all our problems,” Naidu, who is also the TDP president, said.

KCR denies calling Modi a fascist

IANS/Hyderabad

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao yesterday denied calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a fascist.

“I only said if the central government gives powers to a governor which the constitution has not given, this will be a fascist action of the government,” he clarified while addressing a news conference.

The chief minister had criticised the central government after the federal home ministry sent a letter to the state, suggesting some norms to vest special powers to the Telangana governor for maintaining law and order in Hyderabad, the common capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Terming the move “unconstitutional,” the Telangana government insisted that the governor can act only on the advice of the council of ministers.

KCR, as the chief minister is popularly known, said that the constitution needs to be amended to give special powers to the governor. “The governor of Telangana has no extra powers than a governor of any other state,” he said.

He did not agree that Andhra Pradesh Bifurcation Act 2014 gave special powers to the governor. According to him, the act only reiterated the constitutional provision.

Claiming that he has full knowledge of drafting of the bill, KCR said the reference to the constitutional provision about governor’s powers was included to satisfy leaders from Seemandhra opposing the formation of Telangana.

KCR denied receiving any letter from the central government seeking clarification about the household survey to be held in Telangana tomorrow.