Hyderabad, March 03: After Panchyat Raj Minister Botsa Satyanarayana, now it is the turn of two more ministers from coastal Andhra to pitch for a separate Andhra State.
Technical Education Minister M Venkata Ramana Rao and Rural Water Supply Minister Viswarup on Tuesday came out in support of Satyanarayana and indicated that a few more ministers and legislators may follow suit.
Venkata Ramana, who represents Repalle in Guntur district, said: ‘‘There is nothing wrong in Satyanarayana’s argument in favour of bifurcation of the State.
The problem of under-development in several coastal districts could be addressed effectively if Andhra becomes a separate State.’’ ‘‘There are several ministers and legislators in Andhra who hold this view. They will come out openly very soon.,’’ he said.
Viswarup, who represents Amalapuram in East Godavari district, too found nothing wrong with Satyanarayana’s stand. With their support, Satyanarayana upped the ante further during the day and declared: ‘‘Hyderabad is a part and parcel of Telangana.’’ In fact, he described the people of Telangana as enlightened compare d to the guillible Andhraites.
He also suggested that Hyderabad should be allowed to continue as a joint capital for both Telangana and Andhra states till such time as Andhras build a new capital.
He denied preferring Visakhapatnam as the new capital of Andhra State. ‘‘I prefer Vijayawada to Visakhapatnam. I want a separate Andhra State, because then alone north Andhra region, which has remained backward, will get the attention it deserves,’’ he said.
Asked whether his real intention was to become the chief minister of an Andhra State, the Panchayat Raj Minister did not deny it but said for one to become the chief minister, several factors had to work in one’s favour.
——-Agencies