As Telangana celebrated the third State Formation Day with great fanfare and a colourful ceremonial parade, a contrasting somber mood prevailed in truncated Andhra Pradesh.
It was on this day in 2014 that Telangana was born as the 29th State following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh through an Act of Parliament.
While Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao recalled the history of struggle and sacrifices and claimed that the dream of a “Bangaru Telangana” (Golden Telangana) was being realised through rapid development and overall welfare of the people, in Vijaywada, makeshift capital of truncated Andhra Pradesh, the Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu termed it as a ‘Black Day’ and said that the State was yet to recover from the loss caused by the division.
In Hyderabad KCR paid tributes at the Martyrs Memorial opposite the State Assembly before hoisting the flag and taking salute at the ceremonial parade at Secunderabad Parade Grounds.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, KCR listed out the achievements during his three-year rule, including making the new State power surplus and waiving Rs 17,000 crore farmers’ loan, pensions to four million people among others. He said that the biggest achievement was ensuring the welfare of all the sections of the people through the schemes. The Government will launch a new scheme on Saturday under which every pregnant woman will get an assistance of Rs 12,000 in three installments.
Referring to the CAG report that the Telangana was number one in the country in increase in tax revenue collection by 17.82 per cent, KCR said that it was a matter of great pride for the people of the State.
On the other hand participating in ‘Navnirmana Deeksha’ (pledge for the reconstruction of the State) in Vijayawda, Chandrababu Naidu lashed out at Congress and its leader Sonia Gandhi for the manner in which Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated during the UPA rule. He reiterated his old allegation that Sonia Gandhi had chosen June 2 for the bifurcation of the State as it was National Day of Italy.
“Everybody should remember the losses we have suffered on account of bifurcation and dedicate ourselves for the development of the State,” he said.
Recalling that his Government had started from scratch in the new State as it lacked the necessary infrastructure including its own capital, Naidu said that building a city like Hyderabad will cost Rs 5 lakh crore.
He vowed that by overcoming all the challenges and obstacles ,Andhra Pradesh will emerge as the top most state in the country by 2029 and by 2050 it will become the most developed State in the entire world with a per capita income of Rs 1.75 crore.
Amid the two contrasting moods in two Telugu States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted congratulatory messages to the people of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
“Statehood Day wishes to the people of Telangana. I pray for the progress and prosperity of the state in the times to come,” he tweeted.
In another message he said, “My good wishes to the dynamic people of Andhra Pradesh. May AP touch new heights of development and continue to contribute to India’s growth.”