Andhra ministers camp in Delhi, state on auto-pilot

Administration in Andhra Pradesh is hit hard, with 20 Congress ministers camping in the capital to step up pressure on the Centre — for and against creation of Telangana, and a few more expected on Tuesday, Prasad Nichenametla reports.

Administration in Andhra Pradesh is hit hard, with 20 Congress ministers camping in the capital to step up pressure on the Centre — for and against creation of Telangana, and a few more expected on Tuesday.

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On Monday, a delegation of 15 ministers, several MPs and over 40 MLAs and MLCs from the Seema-Andhra region met home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, and presented a declaration against division of the State.

“We have presented our argument against Telangana with historical, geographical and political facts supporting our stand. We have reiterated strongly our commitment to a united state,” TG Venkatesh, a senior Congress minister said.

The Seema-Andhra ministers will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday to submit the memorandum. “United Andhra Pradesh is the aspiration of 13 districts people. Provide Telangana with whichever package that would help the region but keep the State united,” a minister said.

The Telangana camp is not in a mood to relent, however.

Four ministers from the region arrived in New Delhi on Monday with a few more expected on Tuesday. “We are here to counter the Seema-Andhra campaign and convince the high command of the need of Telangana now,” D Sridhar Babu, minister for civil supplies said.

“It is only a matter of a few days that we are here (to settle an important issue). I do not think state affairs would be affected,” a minister said on their absence from the state in high numbers.

The state, meanwhile, is witnessing protests in both regions with joint action committees involving students, employees, and political parties calling for agitations.