JAC criticises formation of committee on T issue

Guntur, Feb. 5: The senior leaders of the Joint Action Committee on Friday staged a dharna for a united Andhra Pradesh at the collectorate. The leaders opposed the formation of the Sri Krishna committee to study the situation in Andhra Pradesh.

The Chilakaluripet MLA and Telugu Desam district president, Mr. Prattipati Pulla Rao, demanded that the Centre bring out a national policy for the formation of new states. He alleged that the home minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, was favoured the formation of small states. He reminded that Mr Chidambaram wrote a book on the significance of small states.

Mr Pulla Rao opposed the proposal for the formation of Telangana state. He alleged that it was a conspiracy hatched by Mr Chidambaram and the AICC state affairs in-charge, Mr Veerappa Moily.

The Ponnur MLA, Mr D. Narendra Kumar, questioned how when the demand for 12 new states was pending, the Central government constituted the Sri Krishna Committee to study the situation in Andhra Pradesh. He opposed the division of the state.

The JAC honorary president, Prof. Narasimha Rao, felt that development is possible only when the state remains united. The people residing in coastal districts, Rayalaseema, Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and Sanga Reddy districts are willing to live together, but the leaders are demanding the T state, he said.

The Congress leader, Mr S. Hidayat, said due to agitations development has come to a grinding halt. The former MLA, Mr S. Ziauddin, Telugu Desam leaders Mr Chukkapalli Ramesh, Praja Rajyam leader Mr Krosuri Venkat and leaders of various associations participated in the dharna.

Mr Pulla Rao and Mr Narendra Kumar submitted a memorandum to the district collector, Mr B. Ramanjaneyulu, explaining the need for a united Andhra Pradesh.