M. Kodandaram, chairman, Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC), is of the view that the division of the State is in the best interests of Telangana and Andhra as both regions will benefit because of a shift in the focus of development. He said real estate in and around Hyderabad constituted the sole development parameter of the leadership in the integrated State, which destroyed livelihood opportunities of the people. The benefits were cornered only by the propertied class in the process.
He said that after the division the focus would shift to the economic needs such as agriculture and the economic situation in both regions would improve. Also, real estate in the coastal and Rayalaseema districts would pick up.
Kodandaram said the movement for Telangana had activated the middle class, which otherwise rarely showed any concern for other sections of people.
Asked which party the JAC would support in the next elections, Kodandaram said a decision would be taken closer to the elections. The endeavour now was to achieve statehood, he said, and added that he expected the new State to be unveiled by the end of this year.
The JAC chairman said a separate Telangana was made possible by the participation of people in the movement and by the sacrifices of the 1,000 youth who committed suicide for the cause. He said the Congress had by and large stated its position with the announcement, but only the final outcome would bring out the true colours of the party. He, however, believed that it would be difficult for the Congress to retract after having gone this far.
He said the coastal lobby had a strong influence on the Congress, and the JAC would like to be cautious until the goal was achieved.
On the counter-agitation in the coastal districts, Kodandaram said it was a pressure tactic to forcibly unite people of the two regions, which would not work.
N. Rahul
