Telugu speaking people in Madras State (now Tamil Nadu) felt like second rate citizens in the city of Madras (now Chennai) before 1956.  That is the reason why they wanted to have a State of their own.  After formation of Andhra with Kurnool as its temporary Capital, it was again merged with Telangana region to become Andhra Pradesh with Hyderabad as its Capital.  

Reminding all the above, Union Minister for Tourism K.Chiranjeevi yesterday made his representation in the Antony Committee that the people of Andhra Pradesh have developed a bond with Hyderabad over all these years.  Now the question that bothers them is should we again be second rate citizens in Hyderabad if the bifurcation happens?

Chiranjeevi also told the Committee that the Telugu speaking people in Tamil Nadu are still treated as Andhra settlers although they are given the status of citizens of the State.   By his experience as a resident in Chennai Chiranjeevi said that he led a life of a second rate citizen there and the same position is not acceptable either to him or the Seemandhra people in Hyderabad. 

It is reported that the members of the Antony Committee were shocked to hear Chiranjeevi’s explanation and concern about the Seemandhra people.  Defence Minister and Chief of the Committee A.K.Antony and AICC Chief Secretary Digvijay Singh noted down the point with due importance attached to it and assured him that a solution to this problem will certainly be chalked out.

But, they said that the assurance does not mean that the decision of CWC will be reversed!

(AW-SriJa)