TRS set ups 'war room', draws TDP ire

Amid a row over bifurcation of employees between Telangana and Seemandhra, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) Saturday set up a "war room" at its office here, drawing the ire of Telugu Desam Party (TDP).

TRS leaders inaugurated the war roo' at Telangana Bhavan, the party headquarters, to deal with any grievances or receive information about any Seemandhra employee making a false claim of local status.

TRS legislators Swami Goud and Srinivas Goud said the war room was set up to fight for the rights of Telangana employees and not to wage a war against anybody.

The development came two days after TRS chief and Telangana chief minister designate K. Chandrasekhara Rao made it clear that no employee who is a native of Seemandhra will be allowed to work in Telangana state.

His statement came after allegations that about 200 employees of the secretariat allotted to Telangana as part of the bifurcation process are from Seemandhra.

Rao, who is set to take over as the first chief minister of Telangana state, has also threatened to act against those employees from Seemandhra who secured jobs and promotions in Telangana in the past by producing false certificates and in violation of various rules.

TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu, who will be taking oath next month as the chief minister of residuary state of Andhra Pradesh (Seemandhra) has come down heavily on TRS for opening 'war room'.

"We don't need war rooms. We need peace," said Naidu after meeting Governor E. S. L. Narasimhan.

Naidu advised the TRS chief to desist from making provocative statements and said such remarks would only hurt Telangana and damage Hyderabad brand image.

"As the chief minister of Telangana, he has the responsibility to provide security to everyone in the state," said Naidu and reminded TRS that the Congress which created war room was wiped out.

The TDP leader said his party wanted justice to both the regions. He expressed the view that the bifurcation process should be completed in a judicious manner.

Telangana and Andhra Pradesh will formally come into being as separate states on June 2. Hyderabad will serve as the joint capital for 10 years.