Congress MPs from Seemandhra seek special financial packages

NEW DELHI: With the home ministry starting the legislative process of granting statehood to Telangana, Congress’ Seemandhra leaders have stepped up pressure on party high command with their demands which include union territory status for Hyderabad, establishing AIIMS, IITs, a new railway division, a separate high court and special tourism package.

According to sources, the united Andhra camp is looking at a face-saver in terms of special financial packages and promise of central universities, AIIMS and other educational facilities. A senior MP told ET, “The inevitability of Telangana is evident. We all know the Congress party will not back out. But we need to go back to our electorate which is so agitated. We need to tell them that the divided state of Andhra will not just get liabilities but also assets in the bargain.”

The Seemandhra camp is also seeking clarity on how water and electricity will be shared between the two states. Cabinet minister and Araku MP V Kishore Chandra Deo, who has been batting for a united Andhra for years, has shot off another note to Congress top brass seeking a number of facilities before the final division.

Deo has sought information technology park with cyber towers, AIIMS, IIT, IIM, metro rail services, maritime research institute, a central university, tribal research institute in tribal areas and special package for developing tourism, especially Buddhist circuits. Congress’ Seemandhra camp seems to be driving a tough bargain to impress on the high command that Telangana might not deliver the political gains that the party is expecting it to.