Kiran Reddy completes three years in office as Andhra bifurcation looms

At a time when the central government is taking final steps for bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy Monday completed three years in office, reiterating his demand that the state be kept united.

Denying that he is defying Congress leadership over Telangana issue, the chief minister said he was only trying to bring pressure to reconsider the decision.

Talking to reporters, Kiran Reddy claimed that what he was speaking publicly against bifurcation was only 20 to 30 percent of what he was telling the leadership.

"I am trying to highlight the facts and also the problems that would crop up because of the state's division," he said.

Kiran Reddy, who hails from Rayalaseema region, said he would continue to oppose the decision to bifurcate the state till the last minute.

Earlier in the day, addressing a public meeting at Rayachoti in Kadapa district, the chief minister said formation of Telangana state would lead to more problems for Telugu people.

He even asked the people attending the public meeting to raise their hands to show their opposition to the central government's decision.

Kiran Reddy tried to blame Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and YSR Congress party for the present situation, saying they wrote to the central government supporting the demand for Telangana state, which finally led to the decision by the Congress.

The tone and tenor of the chief minister, however, indicated that he has reconciled to the state's division. There were no celebrations to mark completion of three years in office.

During the interaction with the media, Kiran Reddy thanked Congress and its president Sonia Gandhi for making him the chief minister. He thanked people and all those who worked with him for their cooperation.

Kiran Reddy pointed out that he had taken over when the state was facing many challenges and both the regions (Telangana and Seemandhra) were witnessing protests. He claimed that his government improved the state's economy and took several developmental and welfare measures.

The 53-year-old succeeded K. Rosaiah, who had to face many problems including the revolt by Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy. Rosaiah was sworn in as the chief minister after Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy died in a helicopter crash on Sep 2, 2009.