Rajya Sabha member V Hanumantha Rao on Sunday suggested a unique proposal on the controversial issue of bifurcation of AP.
Hanumantha Rao proposed that the government make Hyderabad the common capital for both Seemandhra and Telangana regions for 10 years so that the division of the state can go ahead.
Talking to media persons before attending a meeting of a Steering Committee of Telangana Congress leaders, at K Jana Reddy's residence, the Rajya Sabha Member said that he was pained to see suicides of hundreds of people for the cause of statehood, and development lagging due to agitations and dharnas.
The senior politician appealed to Seemandhra leaders to agree for a common capital for 10 years and also agree to split the state.
"We can divide the boundaries but remain united like brothers in a family," Hanumantha Rao said.
"The people of both Seemandhra and Telangana can develop their backward regions with locally available resources within the 10-year period," he added.
"It is difficult for Seemandhra people to leave the state capital, which was developed with their investments. But they can develop their cities with locally available resources," he said, "People can live in harmony during this decade-long period."
"However, we will continue our agitation for a Telangana state, and are ready to sacrifice anything for this," he also cautioned.
The senior politician also denied charges levelled by Telangana leaders, who suspect the High Command's hand behind Speaker Nadendla Manohar rejecting the resignations of Telangana Congress leaders.
He said that the Speaker had rejected the bresignations because he was convinced that the elected representatives from the region had tendered them in an emotionally surcharged atmosphere.
"However, the Telangana leaders' decision to submit their resignations was not taken in a emotionally surcharged atmosphere; it was taken to fulfil the aspirations of the region's people and to respect their sentiments", he said. (INN)