The ministers – D Purandeswari, MM Pallam Raju, K Chiranjeevi, Kotla Suryaprakash Reddy, JD Seelam, Panabaka Lakshmi and Killi Kruparani met their senior cabinet colleagues and members of Group of Ministers (GoM) P Chidambaram and Jairam Ramesh with their fresh demand. They demanded that if the division of Andhra Pradesh was inevitable, then Hyderabad shall be declared a permanent Union Territory. They also asked the ministers to set up a Committee to identify a suitable location for the new capital for residual Andhra Pradesh State.

Speaking to media persons later, Chiranjeevi condemned MIM President Asaduddin Owaisi’s criticism to the demand of Union Territory status for Hyderabad. “When Owaisi can demand Rayala-Telangana, then can’t we ask for UT status for Hyderabad?” he asked.

- INN

Although the Seemandhra Union Ministers opposed the State’s bifurcation, they submitted different proposals if the division is inevitable. While one team of ministers comprising K Chiranjeevi, Daggubati Purandeshwari, JD Seelam, MM Pallam Raju, Kavuri Sambasiva Rao and Killi Kriparani submitted a seven-page memo to the GoM, Kishore Chandra Dev met the GoM separately.

Speaking to media persons later, JD Seelam said that the GoM has been asked to ensure Seemandhra gets its due share in River waters and other resources in case of division. Further, he said Bhadrachalam should be made part of residual Andhra Pradesh State. Further, all employees should be given an option to decide their place of work and there should no forcible repatriations.

Kishore Chandra Deo asked the GoM to consider making Viskahpatnam as the new capital for the residuary State of Andhra Pradesh. He also opposed the inclusion of Rayalaseema region in Andhra Pradesh.

- INN

“He has suffered enough trauma all these years and he has agreed his mistake,” Chiranjeevi told reporters here on Wednesday.

Chiranjeevi, the popular star of Tollywood, has expressed his support to Sanjay Dutt who was sentenced to jail term in the Mumbai bomb blast case. There have been divergent opinions on whether Sanjay should be granted pardon or not. Most of the film fraternity has supported his clemency.

Chiranjeevi, who also has a strong film background is a union minister and his remarks carry weight.

- INN

The cooperative elections is an indicator of the things to come, he said adding that farmers are with the party. The same results will continue in 2014 as well, he said.

- INN