CCSAP Report - Ministry of Home Affairs

united Andhra Pradesh as being in the best interest of economic growth and
welfare of the minority Muslim community, stated that in the event of division
of the state it would be in the community‟s interest to form a new state
combining the regions of Telangana and Rayalaseema. Their argument is
based on the demographic composition of Rayalaseema which has over 12%
Muslim population as compared to just about 8% in the rest of Telangana
(i.e. excluding Hyderabad). The Muslim community in this scenario will get
greater political space. A second rationale for combining the two regions is
suggested by the economic analysis of the state which has shown that
Rayalaseema is the most backward of the three regions. It is dependent on
Telangana for water and irrigation resources and values its access to
Hyderabad for employment and education. There is also greater social
homogeneity between the two regions. It is for these reasons that given a
choice between coastal Andhra and Telangana, the Rayalaseema people may
prefer to join Telangana. Our analysis suggests that primarily taking
economic and social parameters into account this would be a viable and
sustainable option.
(b) On the other hand, however, such a move will be strongly resisted by
all political parties and groups from Telangana region (outside of the old city
of Hyderabad) as most of them believe that Rayalaseema political leadership
has been one of the most important contributory factors in keeping them at a
disadvantage while at the same time exploiting their land resources. The
Committee discussed the possibility of this option with almost all the groups
of Telangana and noted that not even one of them favoured such an option
and as a matter of fact conveyed their vehement opposition to it.
(c) In a nutshell, this scenario is not likely to be accepted either by the
pro-Telangana or by the pro-united Andhra protagonists. Besides, it is one in
which one can anticipate emergence of fundamentalist forces from amongst
the competing political parties and groups. Agitations, particularly in
Telangana area, against such a recommendation are also not ruled out. While
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