Naidu feels out of place in Hyderabad

Hyderabad : The public representatives of Andhra Pradesh, including Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, seem to be feeling out of place in Hyderabad, though it has been declared as the common capital for Telangana and AP for a period of 10 years.

After holding the swearing-in ceremony of his cabinet at Mangalagiri in Guntur district and his first cabinet meeting at Andhra University in Visakhapatnam, the Chief Minister has now decided to hold this year's Independence Day celebrations in Kurnool.

Naidu announced on the floor of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly that the Independence Day celebrations in the State would be held in Kurnool on August 15.

Making a statement to this effect during his reply to the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor's address, he said the decision to conduct the main function, marking the Independence Day, in Kurnool was aimed at decentralization of governance in the State.

He reminded that he had taken oath as Chief Minister at Mangalagiri in Guntur district and held the first cabinet meeting at Visakhapatnam. He said that on the same lines, the Independence Day would be celebrated at Kurnool, the first capital city of the erstwhile Andhra State.

However, sources said Naidu would not get the opportunity to hoist the national flag and inspect the ceremonial parade at the Secunderabad Parade Grounds, as it is under the purview of the Telangana government. And he is not interested in seeking allotment of another ground to celebrate the Independence Day.

Meanwhile, the AP government is mulling holding the next Assembly session outside Hyderabad. Several MLAs have been requesting the Chief Minister to hold the Assembly session in their respective towns.

They complained that the arrangements for the first session of the residuary AP Assembly were grossly inadequate and they were put to severe inconvenience. Most of the MLAs complained to Naidu that they were feeling awkward.

Legislators complained to Speaker that arrangements made for the conduct of the House by the Telangana government were way off the mark and there were no rooms for HoDs to sit. Members complained that they were standing in the lobbies as no seats were made available during tea and lunch break.

The Andhra Pradesh government has to establish its capital city and the government is yet to take a decision on the choice of location. The construction of Assembly building may take some more years.

The Secretariat of AP is also working from Hyderabad. Andhra Pradesh Assembly has to meet for its budget session in July last week or in the first week of August. It is doubtful whether it is possible to modify existing conference halls in Vijayawada or some other AP city for Assembly session within such a short notice.

The House needs security as the entire leadership would be at one place. Senior officials need to commute between Hyderabad and the chosen city for holding the Assembly session.

Besides, legislators and officials need accommodation for more than a month. It may not be possible to make all these arrangements in just a month's time.