Why the controversy over plans for Telangana?

Posted on 05. Jan, 2010 by Editorial Department in Asia

NEW DELHI – Violent protests for and against carving a new state called Telangana out of Andhra Pradesh have been disrupting life there for weeks.

On Tuesday the central government postponed a decision to bifurcate the southern state following protests by political parties.

But the postponement itself sparked new protests

Here are some questions and answers about the Telangana crisis and whether it can hurt the ruling Congress party.

WHAT ARE THE PROTESTS ABOUT?

Telangana was part of the princely dominion of Hyderabad and was merged into Andhra Pradesh in 1956. The demand for a separate state is half a century old. Supporters say the interior has been neglected by dominant coastal districts.

A surprise decision by the Congress-led government to support a new state came after a Telangana leader’s fast sparked off protests in Hyderabad, home to firms like Microsoft, Google and Mahindra Satyam.

Supporters of the new Telangana hailed the decision with firecrackers but those against bifurcating Andhra Pradesh state also took to the streets in protest.

At the heart of the dispute is the status of Hyderabad, geographically within the proposed new state, but claimed by both sides. Opponents of Telangana say the city was built into an economic powerhouse by investments from entrepreneurs from other regions of the state.

WHAT IS LIKELY TO HAPPEN?

As protests continue, the federal government seems to have backpedalled, saying no decision would be taken in haste and it would try to work out a consensus.

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Tags: telangana