The initiative taken by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu with his Telangana counterpart Revanth Reddy within a fortnight of his taking charge to resolve decade-old bifurcation issues surprised many. The bonhomie-filled event not only made for perfect optics but was also substantive in terms of efforts to resolve long-pending inter-state disputes.
It is viewed as a master stroke to check the influence of their political opponents K Chandrasekhar Rao and YS Jaganmohan Reddy. At least 14 issues are pending, including those pertaining to the division of assets, sharing of river waters, clearing power dues, and bifurcation of 91 institutions.
Both Naidu, in his first term (2014-19) and K. Chandrashekar Rao (2014-23) were too hostile to hold any meetings. When Jagan stormed to power in 2019, the deadlock continued as neither side was ready to cede any ground.
Though Jagan and KCR met twice to settle issues, both of them tried to ignite emotions among people of their respective state in order to gain political mileage instead of attempting to find a solution. Both Naidu and Revanth have been blaming former chief ministers of two states that intentionally they remained silent on bifurcation issues expecting raising regional emotions.
It may be recalled that just ahead of voting during Telangana assembly elections, AP police were sent to take control on Nagarjuna Sagar project. This was reportedly aimed at helping KCR to rise `Telangana sentiment’ among voters, which disappeared after TRS name was changed as BRS.
Now both the chief ministers are said to be serious in finding a solution for bifurcation issues. Fearing such a step would be politically disadvantageous to them, both BRS and YSRCP leaders have been criticizing the Chandrababu- Revanth meeting.
Ignoring their opposition, both the chief ministers now likely to explain the issue in their respective assemblies during forthcoming budget sessions and even a resolution also may be passed for early solution for bifurcation issues through mutual trust and negotiations. It is worthwhile to mention that Andhra Bhavan bifurcation in New Delhi was completed by the Union Home Ministry through negotiations without any fuss.
As Revanth rose from the TDP’s ranks to become the TDP’s deputy floor leader in the Assembly of combined Andhra Pradesh, and one of Naidu’s close confidants, this bondage is likely to be helpful for reaching some conclusion on most issues.
However, stalemate is likely to continue with the merger of five Khammam mandals with AP, besides Krishna water sharing formula. Issue of projects on RIver Godavari is also likely to be complicated.