AP was the first state in the country to be formed on linguistic basis, said CM Kiran Kumar Reddy.
Reiterating that he was strongly in favour of a united Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Friday prayed to Telugu Talli that the AP Formation Day should continue to be celebrated in future.
Speaking at the official AP Formation Day celebrations at the NTR Stadium here, the CM said that there is "uncertainty over the future of Andhra Pradesh state".
He said that he was not sure whether the state formation day would be celebrated in future or not. But he stated that he hoped that status quo would be maintained.
The CM added that AP was the first state in the country which was formed on linguistic basis.
While Potti Sriramulu sacrificed his life, Burgula Ramakrishna Rao quit the post of Chief Minister to seek a single state for the Telugu speaking people.
He said that several Telugu speaking people had earned a name for themselves and thus the state.
Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, P V Narasimha Rao and several others also led the nation in different capacities, he said.
Kiran Kumar Reddy said that on November 1st 1956, it was Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who formed a single state for the Telugu people, and that Nehru's policy was reiterated by Indira Gandhi.
He said that Indira Gandhi was in favour of a united Andhra Pradesh and even while addressing the Parliament on December 21, 1972, she had said that the future of Andhra Pradesh should be thought of for the next 100 years with a foresight.
She openly announced that she was a staunch integrationist, he said.
The CM stated that AP was able to build big irrigation projects like Nagarjuna Sagar, Sriram Sagar, Srisailam Dam and others only as a big state, as it provided political strength and financial stability.
Stating that that the state was on the path of development, he claimed that his government was providing equal growth opportunities for all individuala, regions and sections of the state.
He said that a transparent, accountable and corruption-free government has been ensured.
"Special focus was given to farmers, women, youth, students, SC, ST, BC and minorities in the state", Kiran Kumar Reddy said.
He recalled that AP was the first state in the country to introduce a SC/ST Sub-Plan.
Kiran Kumar Reddy said that his government was taking measures to complete the pending irrigation projects, and to provide drinking water, farm loans and input subsidy to farmers.
The CM also mentioned a "a first-of-kind 'Bangaru Talli' scheme" which was launched for the development of the girl child, while "Stree Nidhi" scheme was introduced for economic empowerment of women.
Kiran Kumar Reddy also listed out various other schemes implemented by the state government.
Chief Secretary Dr. P K Mohanty, DGP B Prasada Rao, Ministers - Dr. N Raghuveera Reddy, S Sailajanath, Ganta Srinivasa Rao, Pithani Satyanarayana, T G Venkatesh and Danam Nagender attended the AP Day Celebrations. (INN)