Everyone wants to be a district in reorganised Telangana

They claim they are doing this to dismantle the strongholds of Opposition parties and consolidate the influence of the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS).

 

Resentment erupted across the state instantly following Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's announcement six days ago that about 15 districts would be carved out from the existing 10. KCR's statement triggered a wave of protest across rural Telangana opposing the proposed district and demanding new districts.

 

A massive demonstration was held near Hyderabad that led to an hour-long traffic jam on National Highway near Ibrahimpatnam on Wednesday. Protesters were opposing the inclusion of Ibrahimpatnam in the proposed Bhongir district. They want Ibrahimpatnam be made into a new East Ranga Reddy district.

 

The all-party forum warned the government of serious consequences if their town was made part of another district. The town is now in Ranga Reddy, a stronghold of Congress.

The people of Narsampet, a town in Warangal district, responded to the CM's statement with a protest rally. "We are just 35 km from Warangal district headquarters. What is the administrative convenience in shifting our town to a new district, Bhupalpalli, which is 160 km away? It's a politically-motivated proposal

 

In Warangal district, retired civil servants, academics, Dalit and tribal organisations along with members political parties floated 'Zilla Sadhana Samiti' to launch an agitation to get district status for Mahabubabad, which is located 90 km away from Warangal.

 

Noted environmental activist Voore Gurunatha Rao said the tribal-dominated area was eminently qualified to become a district. Tyres were burnt in on main roads in protest and a rasta roko was held at the Mahabubabad town-centre two days back.

 

The people of Narsampet, a town in Warangal district, responded to the CM's statement with a protest rally. "We are just 35 km from Warangal district headquarters. What is the administrative convenience in shifting our town to a new district, Bhupalpalli, which is 160 km away? It's a politically-motivated proposal," said Akkepalli Ramesh, CPI secretary, talking to Asianet Newsable from Narsampet.

 

Mahabugnagar district is on the boil. Three towns, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthi and Gadwal, all Congress strongholds, want district status.  Wanaparthy Congress MLA G Chinna Reddy, who earlier launched an indefinite fast demanding new district, is planning one now.

 

Read more: Telangana CM scripts a new governance chopp(t)er

 

His colleague MLA, G Aruna wants her constituency Gadwal be carved out into a separate district. Yesterday, she staged a protest dharna before presenting a petition to the local revenue official.

 

Congress leaders alleged that KCR is interested in creating new district with Nagarkurnool as headquarters, splitting strongholds of Congress nearby.

 

Telangana TDP leader Motkupalli Narasimhulu cries foul over the proposed inclusion of Yadagiri Gutta temple town in proposed new district of Siddipet, a pocket borough of KCR family.

 

Gutta, now Yadadri, is being developed on the lines Tirumala with an outlay of ₹1000 crore. TRS wants it to be part of Siddipet district. But, Narasimhulu says this is a move to obliterate Alair constituency which he represented many terms in the past. He warned the government against merging Yadagiri Gutta, now part of Alair, with new Siddipet district.