Rattled by the sudden resurgence of demand for separate Rayalaseema State by the political leaders in the region, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced a series of measures to placate the people.
Naidu chose Kurnool, erstwhile capital of Andhra State till 1956 and a major Muslim concentration area to woo the people.
laying the foundation stone for a State Urdu University Naidu denied the allegations of neglecting the region.
Addressing a public meeting Naidu said that during his earlier tenure as the Chief Minister of United AP he had given the higher preference to Rayalaseema after Hyderabad in terms of development.
Murmurs of protests had increased since the Government chose the belt between Vijayawada and Guntur cities to develop new capital.
In obvious reference to the criticism by the opposition YSR Congress and Congress, Naidu demanded to know what was done during Congress rule for the development of Rayalaseema. “It is my responsibility to develop the region into green belt and put an end to drought”, he said.
Naidu said that 125 acres of land will be allotted for the Urdu University. He also increased the allocation of funds for the university to Rs20 crore from Rs10 crore. He also announced a monthly salary of Rs5000 and Rs3000 to the Imam and his assistant of the mosques which don’t have any stable source of income. Naidu promised a Haj House and an International Airport in Kurnool.