UT Status For Hyderabad Sought

Union ministers from the Seemandhra region on Monday asked the Group of Ministers (GoM) to make Hyderabad a Union Territory if the division of Andhra Pradesh is inevitable.

Although the Seemandhra Union ministers were united in opposing the state's bifurcation, they submitted different proposals for a scenario in which the division is inevitable.

While one team of ministers - comprising K Chiranjeevi, Daggubati Purandeshwari, J D Seelam, M M Pallam Raju, Kavuri Sambasiva Rao and Killi Kriparani - submitted a 7-page memo to the GoM, Kishore Chandra Dev met the GoM separately.

Speaking to media persons later, J D Seelam said that the GoM has been asked to ensure that Seemandhra gets its due share in river waters and other resources in case of division.

Further, he said that Bhadrachalam should be made part of the residual Andhra Pradesh state. Further, all employees should be given an option to decide their place of work, and there should no forcible repatriations, he said.

Kishore Chandra Deo asked the GoM to consider making Viskahpatnam as the new capital for the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh. He also opposed the inclusion of the Rayalaseema region in Andhra Pradesh. (INN)