Separate Statehood Demand For Rayalaseema Raised

TG Venkatesh Kala Kshetram reverberated with the demand for separatestatehood of Rayalaseema. Leaders of various political parties, student organisations and other voluntary organisations attended the “Dasa-Disa” programme that was hosted by the popular Telugu channel HMTV here at TGV Kala Kshetram on Saturday.Rayalaseema Intellectual Forum member, Arun Reddy, during his opening speech alleged that Rayalaseema regions are under gross negligence since 1927 when the Andhra University, which was sanctioned to Rayalaseema, was taken away to Visakhapatnam.  The betrayal which started since 1927 is still haunting the people of Rayalaseema.

Till date there is no development in these regions. All developments are taking place at coastal region. In a span of two months around 3 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs), worth Rs.4.2 lakh crores were entered by the government with various investors to set up factories in Visakhapatnam. Why this discrimination, is this because that Rayalaseema has less number of MLAs compared to coastal region, asked Arun Reddy.

He further said that four Rayalaseema districts are bigger than 14 states in the country. Kurnool is the richest in mines after Chattisgarh. A rare kind of mineral, calamine, which is 142 times costlier than gold is available in Kadapa. He demanded steel plant in Kadapa besides railway zone at Guntakal. Despitehaving abundance of mineral resources, the rulers are neglecting the developments of these regions, said  Arun Reddy. 

Rayalaseema SaaguneetiSadanaSamithi state president, Bojja Dasaratha Rami Reddy said that Rayalaseema regions are parched with continuous drought. He demanded to maintain the water level to 854 ft at Srisailam Dam. If the level is maintained, then the back water could be used for irrigation and drinking water purpose. He demanded to nullify the GO 39 as there is a great threat to Rayalaseema with the GO.

Withthe GO, the minimum water level would come down to 834 instead of maintaining at 854, stated Dasaratha Rami Reddy. There was uproar in the middle of the debate when members raised the issue of Special Category Status with the BJP leader, Sandadi Sudhakar. 

He said that Modi has not assured SCS tag, instead he has promised Special Packages.  With this the opposition leaders reminded of Modi’s assurance during Tirupati meeting where he had assured  Special Status to Andhra Pradesh. The AIDWA, State Vice-President and senior advocate, P Nirmalamma said that Modi government  betrayed the people of Andhra Pradesh with special category status.  As per the Sri Bagh Pact, if Kurnool is not made second capital, then High Court has tobe set up in Rayalaseema.

Neither status was accorded not high court was set up. Both TDP and BJP are likely to face the wrath of Rayalaseema people in the ensuing general elections, she stated. CPM, CPI, Jana Sena, YSR Congress, Congress,BC,SC,ST students organisation leaders also participated at the debate and spoke on various issues.