File photo of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy today told a ministerial panel that the creation of Telangana would threaten national security due to the state's Maoist problem.
"Naxalism, as the PM said, is the biggest threat. It will be a national security issue," Mr Reddy said today, after meeting the Group of Ministers which is drawing up a blueprint for the creation of Telangana as India's 29th state.
The Chief Minister warned that dividing the state would lead to "bigger problems for Telangana."
"I have been a chief minister for the past three years and I know these problems on the ground. Others don't have an idea of the ground reality," Mr Reddy told reporters.
The Chief Minister, who has been seen to support fierce protests in his state against his own Congress party's decision to carve out Telangana, was non-committal on whether he would resign on the issue.
Central ministers from the Telangana region and Seemandhra comprising coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema met the ministers' panel separately to express their views.
Congress leaders from Seemandhra reportedly opposed bifurcation of the state but said if it becomes inevitable, Hyderabad should be declared a union territory on the lines of Delhi. Hyderabad is to be the common capital between the two states for 10 years.
Ministers from Telangana, including Union Science and Technology Minister S. Jaipal Reddy, made out a strong case for creating Telangana without any conditions.
Congress leaders have indicated that a draft bill to create Telangana will be sent to the Andhra Pradesh assembly by the month-end. But the assembly's views will not be binding on the Centre. The ruling Congress is hoping to bring the Bill in the winter session of Parliament beginning December 5.