Jaipal Reddy opposes merger of Rayalaseema districts with Telangana

NEW DELHI: Amid reports that two districts of Rayalseema would be merged with the proposed Telangana state, senior Congress leader and Union minister Jaipal Reddy today firmly opposed the move saying it will hurt the sentiments of people.

"In principle, I am not comfortable with the proposal of merging two districts of Rayalaseema namely Ananthpur and Karnool in Telangana. My opinion is, it will hurt the sentiments of people of Telangana and Seemandhra particularly Rayalseema," Reddy said here.

He said people of Telangana have always asked for the "Telangana" state comprising 10 original districts.

"Telangana is divided from Rayalseema with natural border such as rivers. Why undo a natural border and merge two districts of Rayalseema with Telangana?" he asked.

The Congress leader from Telangana further said that he was aware of the concerns of the farmers in Ananthpur and Karnool district.

They are entitled to their quota of Krishna water which will be distributed in future through a quasi-judicial process, he claimed.

To a question on the final judgement of Krishna river water dispute tribunal, he observed that the government of Andhra Pradesh may appeal in the Supreme Court.