TDP leader and Rayalaseema protagonist TG Venkatesh has a formula to deal with the resentment in the region, generated following the chief minister Chandrababu Naidu’s decision to locate the capital in Guntur district ignoring Kurnool. Locating second capital, he prescribes, in Rayalaseema will put an end to the antagonism developed in the region post bifurcation. His suggestion assumes significance in the backdrop of the spreading Rayalaseema movement, which is slowly gaining momentum with participation of many intellectuals from the region.
Venkatesh is the only TDP leader from Rayalaseem, who has been raising the capital issue. Venkatesh is the first leader to demand ‘one state or three states’ if the division is thrust on the people of the state of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. In his view, restoration of greater Rayalaseema consisting the existing four districts and parts of Nellore and Prakasam districts, would alone pave the path for the development of Rayalaseema as Rayalaseema and Andhra would be would be uneasy partners.
Now, having denied the capital city, the former minister is suggesting a way out to nip the Rayalaseema separate state movement in the bud. He says announcing second capital of the state for Rayalaseema is the best solution to prevent the Rayalaseema movement from transforming into a separate state movement. ” Separate state movement is not good for the state. Once the demand ignites the sentiment of the people, it would be difficult to extinguish, ” he warned the government. He said this in Kurnool in the presence important TDP leaders of the Kurnool district such as S V Mohan Reddy (MLC), Dhanareddy (former MLA, and chairman, district granthalaya samstha and former district TDP president Somisetti Venkateswarlu).
He cautioned Chandrababu Naidu not to ignore the Rayalaseema resentment as it had the potential to evolve into a separate statement. ” Another bifurcation movement won’t do good to the people of the state. So, conceding the second capital would address the Rayalaseema issues,” he said.
He also suggested Naidu to offer some more concessions to the angry Rayalaseema. They are: 1. Capital Amaravati should be made free zone. This is because, in the jobs generated in the Amaravati capital region, all regions should have equal share. if it is not made a free zone, according to Venkatesh, youth of backward districts would be at loss as they find it difficult to compete with the students of coastal districts. 2. The present development plan prepared for the Amaravati capital region should be decentralized. 3. The funds of special package being released by the centre under the special development plan for seven backward districts should be utilized for the intended purpose only and should not be diverted.
While dismissing the talk of his quitting the TDP, Venkatesh did not rule out the formation of new party in coordination with North Andhra protagonists, in case the government failed to do justice to Rayalaseema and other backward regions as per his compromise formula.
