Now, ex-CBI JD votes for merger of AP, Telangana

PNS|Vijayawada

Retired IPS officer and former joint director of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) VV Lakshminarayana responded to YSRC general secretary and Advisor to the Government on Public Affairs Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, that it would be nice if Andhra Pradesh and Telangana get merged again. “Even if it is just an assumption, the thought of a merger of two states appears to be good,” he said.

Former JD said the issues pertaining to the manner in which the bifurcation of the combined Andhra Pradesh had taken place were pending in the Supreme Court. But the issues could be resolved if all the parties sit together and discuss how to sort them out.

Sajjala’s talk on the merger of the two Telugu states again is said to be part of the well-calculated strategy, apparently to kick up a strong sentiment among the people all over again, obviously to divert the people’s attention from the contentious issue of lack of a proper capital for Andhra Pradesh.

Apparently, the YSR Congress party thought the Samaikyandhra sentiment might work in favour of the party in the next elections, even if a small percentage of the people would get attracted to it.

Especially in the wake of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) transforming into a national party in the name of Bharat Rashtra Samithi, the Telangana sentiment would have no relevance now. If the TRS discloses any plans to contest in Andhra, the demand for a merger of the two states might gain credence, sources said.