G. Ravikiran

One national party divided AP and promised special status but not conferred the same officially at the time of division.

Another national party came to power at the centre and after prolonged thinking said that the status would be impossible under the given circumstances in the country.

Subsequently, different parties in AP took different stances to suit their political needs.

But this has become indeed an emotional and sensitive issue for almost all sections.

This has now claimed one more life. A 10th class student named Madileti Mahendra Naidu ended his life at his house in Jaladurgam village in Kurnool district.

The boy apparently left a letter before hanging himself when he was alone.

He said his brother would have got a job by now if the centre gave special status to create jobs and development opportunities in the newly created state without a capital.

The boy also noted that so many had taken their lives for the sake of achieving separate Telangana at that time and they succeeded.

Sources say financial problems and sickness afflicting the head of family were other main reasons behind the boy’s tragic end.

It is clear that the status issue will continue to bother the people of AP in different ways.

The Congress party, which divided the state, now promises that once it comes to power next time, it will surely give special status officially to AP.

But the question is whether AP people are ready to forgive national parties for denial of special status.