A new Telangana or no separation from Andhra Pradesh?

Dubai: While the Indian governance debates the issue of carving up Andhra Pradesh, Gulf News spoke to its readers from the Indian state to understand their emotions towards the proposed creation of Telangana and Seemandhra.

Most didn’t appear happy with the idea.

Sony Harpalani, who is from the current capital of Hyderabad, clearly does not favour this division. She said: “The division divides the Indians by mindset – Andhraite and Telanganaite.

“It makes no difference to the common man. Whether the state prospers or divides, it remains in the favour of the Congress. They have their own political benefits.” She is based in Dubai.

A similar thought was expressed by Subhankar Ghosh, who works as a manager in Abu Dhabi. He said: “The division will create more trouble, because there will be a conflict of interest.

Being a Hyderabadi myself, I have seen how this city and state has developed and progressed. Andhra Pradesh was created some time ago, then why this decision? This decision is taking place to gain the popularity of the local people. It is all about politics.

“I don’t see any positive development. Unity is more important, rather than separating Andhra Pradesh and creating separate states. The division will not help with the development of Telangana as a separate state. It will make matters worse than what they are now.”

“The division will lead to people’s sentiments being exploited. Fights will take place between Seemandhra and Telangana, especially over Hyderabad.”

Harpalani hopes that Hyderabad continues to remain the capital for at least the next 10 years. She said: “If Telangana is made, Hyderabad should be the capital, and to continue being a capital, there should be infrastructure.

“No other city [in Andhra Pradesh] has the basic infrastructure as required and none have progressed as Hyderabad. The state will only prosper if the division does not take place.”

- The writer is a trainee with Gulf News