Quote:"He (Kiran) is speaking as if he is giving money from his pocket. He should know that it is the people's money which should be spent for the cause of people in times of distress. He is not giving a fund for our party," TDP politburo member Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said.



"Kiran has turned out to be the most non-practical chief minister," CPI State Secretary K Narayana lashed out. CPI(M), BJP and TRS leaders hit out at the CM, charging he "lacked an open mind" to resolve the issue.

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Kiran's attitude left his Cabinet colleagues puzzled. This became evident as three Ministers – K Jana Reddy, Mopidevi Venkata Ramana and Vatti Vasantha Kumar – walked out of the all-party meet midway. In fact, of the 11 Ministers invited for the crucial meet, only six turned up.

Quote:Following are the options and explanation given by the committee:



1. Maintaining Status Quo: The committee said it is of the unanimous view that it would not be a practical approach to simply maintain the status quo in respect of the situation.



"Some intervention is definitely required and though maintaining the existing status quo is an option it is favoured the least," the panel says.



2. Bifurcation of the state into Seemandhra and Telangana; with Hyderabad as a Union Territory and the two states developing their own capitals in due course:



"There is a definite likelihood of serious backlashes in Telangana region and on overall consideration, the Committee found this option was also not practicable."



3. Bifurcation of the state into Rayala-Telangana and Coastal Andhra Regions with Hyderabad being an integral part of Rayala-Telangana:



"This scenario is not likely to be accepted either by the pro-Telangana or by the pro-United Andhra protagonists. While this option may have economic justification, the committee believes that this option may not offer a resolution which would be acceptable to people of all three regions," it says.



4. Bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh into Seemandhra and Telangana with enlarged Hyderabad Metropolis as a separate Union Territory. This Union Territory will have geographical linkage and contiguity via Nalgonda district in the south-east to Guntur district in coastal Andhra and via Mahaboobnagar district in the south to Kurnool district in Rayalaseema:



"This is likely to receive stiff opposition from Telangana protagonists and it may be difficult to reach a political consensus in making this solution acceptable to all," it says.



5. Bifurcation of the state into Telangana and Seemandhra as per existing boundaries with Hyderabad as the capital of Telangana and Seemandhra to have a new capital:



"The committee feels that this option has to be given consideration. The continuing demand for a separate Telangana has some merit and is not entirely justified. In case this option is exercised the apprehensions of the coastal Andhra and the Rayalaseema people and others who were settled in Hyderabad and other districts of Telangana with regard to their investments, properties, livelihood and employment would need to be adequately addressed.

"Considering all aspects, the Committee felt that while creation of separate Telangana would satisfy a large majority of the people from the region, it will also throw up several serious problems. Therefore, after taking into account of the pros and cons the committee did not think it to be most preferred, but the second best option. Separation is recommended only in case it is unavoidable and if decision can be reached amicably amongst all the three regions."



6. Keeping the state united by simultaneously providing certain definite constitutional/statuary measures for socio-economic development and political empowerment of Telangana region-creation of a statutorily-empowered Telangana Regional Council:



"In this option, it is proposed to keep the state united and provide constitutional/statuary measures to address the core socio-economic concerns about the development of the Telangana region. This can be done through the establishment of a statutorily-empowered Telangana Regional Council with adequate transfer of funds, functions and functionaries. The regional council will provide a legislative consultative mechanism for the subjects to be dealt with by the Council.

Quote:Hyderabad, Jan. 10: Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan’s three-day visit to Delhi and his meetings with Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, A.K. Antony and Ahmed Patel have created a buzz about the possibility of President’s rule in the state.



Since his return to Hyderabad yesterday, the governor has been holding teleconferences with officials in the city and the trouble-torn Telangana districts where statehood agitators have blocked highways and gheraoed the homes of Congress MLAs, MPs and ministers.



Constitutional experts say President’s rule is the best option to avert competitive mass resignations by Congress MLAs and ministers from coastal Andhra and Telangana, which would create a constitutional crisis. Under President’s rule, the Assembly will go into limbo.



However, talk of President’s rule has further angered the political parties, most of which see Narasimhan as a man the Centre foisted on the state to control the Telangana agitation.

The BJP has sought Narasimhan’s recall and the Telugu Desam Party has demanded that the retired IPS officer be censured. A pro-statehood Congress leader has dubbed the governor “General Dyer” (of Jallianwala Bagh fame) and a person “totally against Telangana”.



Students at Osmania University in Hyderabad participate in a pro-Telangana agitation. (PTI)

What has angered the Telangana protagonists most is the governor’s meeting with Sonia. “In what capacity did he meet her and submit a report on law and order?” BJP leader Bandaru Dattatreya asked.



Even Congress leaders from Telangana accused the governor of “overstepping his brief” by meeting their party chief.

Quote:Overnight my dream is shattered. If Hyderabad is not my state capital or if its not in my state, why would I want to be living here? Why would I want to pay my taxes here? Why would I want to part of the City’s development. Why would I be helping any business here? Why would I want to be a part of the city in the first place.