Hyderabad: With elections in Telangana out of the way, the Congress has begun to pursue an anti-Telangana state line in the rest of Andhra Pradesh.
The opposition parties have complained to the Election Commission, accusing the chief minister of stoking regional differences.
"If anyone wants to do business in Hyderabad or establish a college, TRS is saying that he will make them all shut down. That means Hyderabad will not be part of our state. We will become a foreigner in Hyderabad, be careful. Keep away the TDP," said Andhra Chief Minister Y S Rajashekhara Reddy.
This is the line of the Congress campaign after the Telangana region voted on Thursday. Rajasekhara Reddy has decided to instill the fear of what a separate state of Telangana could do to the economy, agriculture and lives of people staying in the rest of Andhra Pradesh. The TDP and TRS fought the election promising statehood to Telangana.
"He wants to create disputes between Andhra and Telangana. He wants to provoke Andhra people to benefit the Congress," said TDP leader Yerran Naidu.
Analysts believe this is a very dangerous gamble employed by YSR. While it could reap electoral dividends in few areas of coastal Andhra and Rayalseema, it could also mean long term damage, as the rhetoric would anger and alienate the people of Telangana.