Does the division of Andhra Pradesh into two states address people's aspirations or will it lead to fresh disputes? INN joined with its readers for an web interaction on the tangled issue. Excerpts:
Q. How can you term this as a solution when you are getting suggestions from all sort of people.has it not made the whole problem more complicated?
A. The Congress claims to have had "widespread consultations" on this demand before taking the decision. But yes, there are several loose ends still hanging out there with no immediate or intelligent solution in sight. Complications are bound to arise, it remains to be seen how well the administration can deal with it.
Q. How did CWC taken? The Demand created by dirty political party not by the people.Even 50% of the people who are in Telangana doesn't really wanted a new state.Did they really?
A. I have traveled extensively in Telangana region over the last few years and I think it'd be wrong to say there was no T sentiment on ground at all. There are cross-sections of society who do feel they havent been represented well. Having said that, it is also true, politicians across party lines have milked the issue for their own electoral gains.
Q. Do we know how it is going to affect the investors in Hyderabad, Can we still expect the same kind of growth? Are the prices going to rise? There was hike in fuel price as soon as the decision was announced.if so, why? Any prediction on how it is going to affect the real estate in Hyderabad.
A. Your concern echoes among the thousands who call Hyderabad their home. There are different opinions coming out at this point of time. While some say, ending the suspense on Telangana will bring in investments and growth, others think the uncertainty over Hyderabad for the next 10 yrs may hamper projects. Real estate has been hit badly since the last few years... and some in the business feel, a common capital stature will only make Hyderabad land more expensive.
Q. Do you think that our country is facing regionalism threat which is a danger to our sovereignty?
A. Regionalism can also be a great unifying factor, if used and channelized properly. yes, it is a double edged sword and I think, especially with the birth of a new state, reassuring all sects that diversity is NOT a threat is the real challenge. I am more concerned about identity politics here.
Q. Why INN is not contradicting the Digvijay Tweet "I haven't understood why Andhra settlers feel threatened? Once they are registered voters of Hyderabad they are residents of Hyderabad." Being senior politician, can he bring these kind of inequalities in Telugu region? Why Channels are not questioning his tweets. Don't he know how to speak.
A. Apparently Rahul Gandhi has given a list of rules to party spokespersons now. Maybe Mr Digvijay Singh will get his copy soon.
Q. I have a question what are the disadvantages of separating a state in to more states, I want answer not political grounds I want technical answers.
A. Our track record hasn't been the best with our last 3 smaller states. While they were given on the pretext of better administration and resource management, the results have been far from good. The only disadvantage of a smaller state,for now, is its vulnerability to political turmoil and of course how soon it can get back on the growth track.
Q. Will this decision benefit Congress?
A. That's what they hope!
Q. I think people are downplaying the need for statehood for Telangana, by calling it a Pandora's box, What you say?
A. The need for statehood has been addressed already. there is going to be a 29th state now. The Pandora's box reference is more to do with, what lies ahead.
Q. First, we should create a new capital for Seema Andhra in next 5 years and then we should make a separate state Telangana.
A. Hyderabad has been built over decades. and just like Rome wasnt built in a day, a new capital will need it's share of time and money investments. Which is why, i think, legislators of this region, need to seriously do away with resignation drama and sit down to chalk out a plan for the new capital.
Q. Does the Telengana decision have given rise to more such violent movement for statehood? Like in Gorkhaland, Harit Pradesh, etc.
A. That has been a growing concern Vineet. and we are already seeing GJM raise its ante after the T decision. If it wasn't electoral gains, but backwardness and representation that the UPA was genuinely looking at, then these other demands do stand on strong ground.
Q. Do you think BJP will gain in Telangana?
A. The BJP has been supporting Telangana demand since its re-eruption in 2009 with party leaders making statements of granting it within 48 hrs of coming back to power. but as Congress has now bit the Telangana bullet, it will become slightly difficult for BJP to gain ground in T. yes, there does exist a small political vacuum after the Telangana decision... will BJP be able to capitalise on it on time, remains to be seen.
Q. The statement that winter session only the Parliament will have the bill means a likely Cold storage in view of the heat generated by others?
A. I don't think, a decision as big as this, will be very difficult to go back on. And I don't think Congress will want to increase its already wide trust deficit by delaying the bill further and especially with elections getting closer.
Q. Telengana state formation is one of the worst managed Drama.There was no scientific approach for this and hence it is definitely a Pandora's box.
A. Well, you did have the Sri Krishna Committee report tht suggested division of Telangana as the 2nd best option, voicing security concerns though.
Q. What are the implications in Tollywood post Telangana? Since Hyderabad is the hub of entertainment, what is the way forward to the film industry? Only Ramanaidu studios is present in Vizag. Will the rest follow the suit?
A. That's a very good question. Most of the big filmmakers come from the Andhra region. People in the fraternity say, there may be no immediate fallout, but a couple of things are likely to be affected including content. Possibly this could fuel better infrastructure for films in Andhra region. With such heavy investments in place in Hyderabad, I don't think the industry will look at shifting. It will only look at growing on the other side too.
Q. Why UPA has rejected most feasible 6th option of Sri Krishna committee? Can dividing a state can only solve d problems of people of that region? UPA's decision was purely political.
A. The decision most definitely is political. but it also reflects how things have been mismanaged on ground for years. Delhi hasn't been able to get it right on development, resources etc despite having the highest number of elected representatives in LS from this state.
Q. So called impartial media is supporting the way decision has been taken. We might have to conclude that Media is playing along with the Political band.
A. Unfortunately, Shooting the messenger will not solve anything.
Q. Why don't we make Hyderabad as common capital for 100 years? This way both get benefited?
A. It will be tricky to have Hyderabad as a capital for Andhra region for that long, simply because Hyderabad is landlocked by Telangana districts. Unlike the other common capital Chandigarh, Hyderabad falls outside the geographical boundaries of Andhra region.
Q. Is capital the only issue for the unrest in AP? If it is, then it should have been addressed before the division. Citizens of Hyderabad have time and again said that they are Hyderabadis than Telanganaites. Is it true?
A. Chief minister Kiran Reddy has often used that line too, of being a Hyderabadi more than an Andhraite or Telanganaite. But for now, there is definitely a sense of loss among people in Andhra and Rayalseema region. and it isn't just about Hyderabad or investments.. but it is also deeply emotional. An entire generation has born and lived in a united AP since 1956, so it is definitely also emotional.
Q. I think it was good to give Telangana or else there would be continued agitation which would have affected the development of Hyderabad.
A. The agitations did hamper growth in Hyderabad. But has the govt learnt its lesson? can it see to it that agitations in Andhra region are not seen as a law and order problem alone.
Q. Do you think a CM from Telangana would have averted all this crisis?
A. Maybe. maybe not. Telangana has had only 3 CMs since 1956 while the 1956 Gentleman's agreement had stated political representation at 60:40 (andhra: T). But did these CM's do enough too? it's a retrospective question now.
Q. What happens if state goes into president rule? will it be road block on the process of new state?
A. Unless the resignations of the legislators are accepted, don't see President's rule coming in. And Congress has indicated enough that, like in past, it will only sit on the resignations. We need to see it in the bigger context of political posturing.
Q. Do congress stand to gain anything from T-decision?I feel whatever they gain in Telengana supporting region will they not loose equal/more in Seema Andhra region?
A. Pre-poll and post-poll alliances are key here. 2014 elections will be epic in that sense.
Q. Looks like congress is experimenting with A.P, learn from the mistakes and divide other states in future with all the learning.
A. If that's true, then it is one hell of a costly experiment.
Q. Any division in the current list of states should be done in a scientific manner with data to prove, but it looks like politics is the reason for dividing A.P. They will have to face the music from both the regions and also prepare to face similar situations in other states. Do you agree? What is the solution. Will India also suffer like Soviet union.
A. We might still be a little farther away from looking at a Soviet union like situation, but the threat of similar demands, threat of internal security and threat of false promises of development in these regions is very high and real.
Q. How will the real estate have an affect in Andhra because of the split in the state?
A. Could go either way. Property investment is always a good idea though, isn't it?
(Note: Our web interaction session with our selected readers across the world joined us on a platform called 'Public Forum' recently and expressed their questions with our experts.)
