Hyderabad:
In its formula to carve out a new Telangana state from Andhra Pradesh, the ruling Congress has suggested that Hyderabad will serve as a shared capital for the two states for 10 years, after which it will be a part of Telangana.
The Telangana Rashtra Samithi or TRS, which has spearheaded the movement for a separate state in the last few years, has welcomed that cautiously, but wants more clarification on the status of the city.
TRS chief K Chandrashekhara Rao or KCR, whose hungerstrike in 2009 brought the demand for Telanagana back into political focus, said he wanted more clarity on the fine print of Hyderabad being a common capital and how it would work. He also said that the TRS would begin celebrating only once Parliament had approved the creation of a new state. (
Track live updates)
His son KT Rama Rao told NDTV soon after the Congress Working Committee endorsed a decision to create India's 29th state, Telangana, "I am happy that it is announced with Hyderabad. That means Hyderabad is one district and other nine. We need clarification on what the common or shared capital means."
Early on Tuesday, Mr Rao had warned that the ruling Congress would face "severe resistance" if Hyderabad was made a shared capital for the two states.
Which state will get Hyderabad, with its booming economy powered largely by the IT industry, if Telangana is separated, has been a contentious issue for long. And for good reason. Telangana has 40% of Andhra Pradesh's population and contributes more than 60% of the state's revenues. Half of this comes from Hyderabad; around 60% of the total income tax in the state is generated from Hyderabad
The people of the non-Telangana regions of coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema, collectively known as Seemandhra, fear that they will be set back several years economically if they lose Hyderabad to Telangana. Students ask where they will go to study and work if Hyderabad is part of another state soon.
In Hyderabad, people want an assurance that life will not change. Bollywood director Manishankar Iyer, who has lived in Hyderabad for over 40 years, said, "Politicians of all parties need to give an iron clad assurance that our way of life, the style of living, the friendship and camaraderie we have, and the true spirit of Hyderabad will not change....That Hyderabad will remain the cosmopolitan city it has been where every citizen is fearless."
KCR sought to allay fears, saying, "Andhra people need not worry. They will be safe, they are our brothers. Anybody in Hyderabad can stay here. It has been the capital for 500 years. We will cooperate with them."