Andhra, Telangana CMs agree on talks to solve issues

The chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Sunday agreed to solve the contentious issues between the two Telugu-speaking states through talks and mutual understanding and cooperation.

Putting behind the bitterness caused by bifurcation of the state, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and his Telangana counterpart K. Chandrasekhar Rao met here and decided to work together in the interest of the Telugu-speaking people of both the states.

They entrusted the issue of bifurcation of employees to the chief secretaries of the two states and agreed to make a beginning to address other issues including sharing of electricity and water and admissions in professional colleges.

Accompanied by senior officials, they held talks for nearly two hours at Raj Bhavan to iron out their differences on various issues between the two states including sharing of infrastructure at the assembly building.

E.S.L. Narasimhan, who is governor of both the states, was present for the first half an hour. Later the chief ministers had detailed discussions.

It was the first formal meeting between the two to discuss the issues arising out of the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh since they formed governments in June. It was held at the initiative of the governor.

The meeting between Naidu and his one time friend in Telugu Desam Party (TDP) was held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere.

The two chief ministers later media separately that they have decided to move forward with mutual cooperation for the welfare of people.

Terming it as a good beginning, Rao said the talks were fruitful. "If necessary we will meet two to three times to sort out the issues," said Rao, who is also chief of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS).

The Telangana chief minister told reporters that the chief secretaries would hold talks to sort out problems related to bifurcation of employees. He said bifurcation of majority of 45,000 employees was already completed and the two officials would address the problem with regard to remaining few hundred employees.

KCR, as the TRS chief is popularly known, said the meeting decided to address other issues including the one related to institutions located in Hyderabad as per the agreed guidelines.

He suggested that if necessary the two states put pressure on the central government to do justice to them by addressing the post-bifurcation issues.

Chandrababu Naidu hoped that the meeting would go a long way in removing the bitterness between the two states and finding an amicable solution to all problems.

"We are two states but we are one as Telugu people. It is only through talks that we can solve all our problems," said Naidu, also the TDP president.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary I.Y.R. Kishna Rao, his Telangana counterpart Rajiv Sharma, Andhra assembly Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao, his Telangana counterpart Madhusudhan Chary and some other officials also attended the meeting, said official sources.