KARIMNAGAR: Both Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and his son and IT minister K.T. Rama Rao have been drawing severe criticism for dropping Sircilla from the list of proposed new districts. People tried to set their portraits on fire to vent their anger.
Mr Chandrasekhar Rao and Mr Rama Rao are receiving unprecedented flak from different sections in Sircilla for backtracking on the promise of a new district. In particular, Mr Rama Rao has been facing the wrath of the people for the past few weeks. Some protesters threw mud and slippers at their posters on Mr Rama Rao’s birthday on Saturday.
Sircilla officials had to remove the posters of Mr Rama Rao, fearing vandalism. Police was also forced to protect vinyl posters erected across town. “The people of Sircilla and neighboring villages had pinned their hopes on the government, following inclusion of the textile town in the list of proposed districts. They had purchased house sites and agriculture land, expecting growth. But, their hopes were dashed when the government withdrew its decision,’’ a TRS senior said.
At the same time, the government has come under the scanner for including two mandals of Husnabad Assembly constituency in the proposed Siddipet district.
Students, members of trade unions and activists of political parties are taking to the streets, opposing the merger of Husnabad and Koheda mandals.
TPCC secretary Bomma Sriram, said, “The people of Husnabad and Koheda had developed an emotional attachment with Karimnagar since Independence. They are not interested to be a part of a new district. They feel that their identity is at stake. These mandals have no ties with Siddipet.’’
Warangal puzzles at splitting of twin cities
The district reorganisation sub-committee suggesting Hanamkonda as one of the new districts has not gone down well with the people and parties alike. One cannot draw boundaries bet-ween Kazipet, Hanam-konda and Warangal. They were always seen as one city, they said.
People accuse Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao of dividing districts to suit his political interests and not for ease of governance. Forum for Better War-angal president P. Sudha-kar said the move lacked scientific rationale.
“While Warangal will have 27 mandals, Mahbubabad will have only 13. Hyderabad has a population of 44,08,017 but Bhupalapalli has only 6,95,145. In terms of area, Komuram Bheem district is 8161.68 sq km whereas Jagityal is 3,081.41 sq km,’’ he said, adding this could lead to regional imbalance.
BJP state vice president M. Dharma Rao said dividing Hanam-konda and Warangal would impact the importance of the city which boasts of Kakatiya heritage. Many structures and temples would get divided. Warangal was chosen a heritage city by the Centre. “Problems related to fund allocation could arise,” he said.
“After Hyderabad, Warangal is the only city with any importance. Who gives KCR the right to divide Hanamkonda and Warangal? The people will not sit quiet,” he said. TDP district president Gandra Satyanarayana accused the Chief Minister of reorganising districts “to please his family members and his ministers”.
