Crowd cheers K Chandrasekhar Rao, the man once despised for Andhra Pradesh bifurcation

VIJAYAWADA: Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao generated huge excitement at the foundation laying ceremony of Amaravati, the new capital of bifurcated Andhra Pradesh, on Thursday. Considering he was held responsible by the people of Andhra Pradesh for the division of the state and “usurpation“ of Hyderabad, it was clear from the crowd's response that all illfeelings had been forgotten.

The moment KCR stepped on the dais, the crowd blew whistles. When his arch rival and Andhra chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu presented him with a bouquet, people clapped and cheered loudly.

Not a man to miss the popular mood, Naidu put his hands on KCR's shoulder presenting a big photo opportunity for shutterbugs. Responding to Naidu, KCR inched closer and they seemed to exchange light banter.

On his first visit to Andhra region in more than a decade, KCR said, “Vijayadashami is an auspicious day and the foundation ceremony of Amaravati on this day will certainly benefit the new capital. I am here to extend whatever cooperation that is required to complete the construction of Amaravati from Telangana government.“ KCR was given three minutes to speak, but he concluded it in a minute. Though KCR was given a seat beside Tamil Nadu governor K Rosaiah, Naidu went and sat with his Telangana counterpart for some time.