Andhra Pradesh celebrates formation day, TRS vows to split state

Hyderabad, Nov 1: Andhra Pradesh celebrated the 53rd anniversary of its formation Sunday but the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) observed it as "betrayal day" and vowed to divide the state.

Chief Minister K. Rosaiah led the celebrations by unfurling the national flag at a function held at the NTR Stadium here while TRS chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao separately hoisted a black flag and said his party would split the state later this month.

A colourful parade and cultural programmes highlighting the rich Telugu culture were held as part of the statewide celebrations.

In his speech, Rosaiah declared that his government would continue to tread the path of former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who died in a helicopter crash Sep 2.

Rosaiah said his government would work to follow the ideals of YSR by continuing both welfare and development schemes.

The chief minister began the day by offering floral tributes to 'Telugu talli' or mother Telugu statue at Necklace Road. He also paid tributes to leaders who made sacrifices to achieve a separate state for Telugu people.

The main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Praja Rajyam Party and several other parties also celebrated the day by unfurling the national flag and remembering the leaders who fought for a separate state for Telugus.

However, TRS, which is fighting for separate statehood to Telangana, observed it as "betrayal day" to protest the merger of the region with then Andhra State on this day in 1956.

The party held black flag demonstrations and tried to stall the official celebrations at few places. TRS chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao unfurled a black flag at Telangana Bhavan, the party headquarters here.

KCR, as Rao is popularly known, said he would launch a "fast-unto-death" in the last week of this month to achieve separate Telangana. He said the people of Telangana would no longer suffer injustice.

Police arrested TRS legislator Harish Rao who tried to disrupt the speech by state minister Geeta Reddy at the official celebrations at Sangareddy in Medak district.

It was on Nov 1, 1956 that Telangana, part of erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad, was merged with Andhra State to form a state for Telugu speaking people with Hyderabad as its capital.

Earlier on Sep 1, 1953, Telugu-speaking Rayalseema and coastal Andhra areas of Madras State were separated to form Andhra State with Kurnool as its capital.

This followed the death of Telugu leader Potti Sriramulu in December 1952 after a 56-day hunger strike to press the demand for a separate state for Telugus.

The Telangana region comprising 10 districts, including Hyderabad, witnessed a violent movement for a separate state in 1970s. Telangana parties alleged that Andhra rulers had betrayed the backward region by going back on all the assurances given at the time of merger.

KCR revived the Telangana movement by floating the TRS in 2001.