TRS chief K T Rama Rao welcomes Cabinet's nod to Telangana

Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) President K T Rama Rao on Thursday welcomed the Union Cabinet's approval on the formation of Telangana from the existing state of Andhra Pradesh, and said that there is no problem in having two Telugu speaking states in the country.

We welcome the decision of the Union Cabinet, and we are now waiting for the Telangana Bill to be introduced as soon as possible. This decision has been taken in the nation's interest and it will be accepted and abided by all leaders," he told media here today.

"Heavens will not fall and earth will not shatter if we have two Telugu speaking states in our nation. I request them to understand and cooperate. Let them understand the aspirations of the people of Telangana," he added.

Congress leader Jagdambika Pal, echoing similar statements, hoped that there would not be any protest over the Telangana issue, and asserted that both the regions would grow.

Meanwhile, describing the decision of the Cabinet as undemocratic, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader C M Ramesh accused the Congress Party of indulging in dirty politics, and said that the people of Andhra Pradesh would never accept this decision.

"It is a completely undemocratic decision, and the people of Andhra Pradesh will not accept this decision. We will see in the Parliament. We even requested the Congress Government to call both sides and hear our problems. They are dong dirty politics, and we completely disagree," he said.

Earlier this evening, the Union Cabinet approved the formation of Telangana from the existing state of Andhra Pradesh and that Hyderabad would be the joint capital for the next ten years.

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde who read out the Cabinet statement in the national capital said that a Group of Ministers (GoM) would be constituted to look into various issues between the two states.

Shinde also said that the Group of Ministers would also look at the financial assistance for the state of Andhra Pradesh after the creation of Telangana, and to meet the special needs of the backward region and the district.

The Cabinet resolution would be sent to President Pranab Mukherjee with the recommendation that he refers it to the Andhra Pradesh state legislature.

Ahead of the Cabinet meeting today evening, protestors opposed to the bifurcation of the state, demonstrated near the Prime Minister's residence.