Botsa makes U-turn, wants AP divided

In a reversal of stand, Housing Minister Botsa Satyanarayana announced that he would  welcome the bifurcation of the state. Till recently, he opposed the bifurcation of the state.

"Till recently, I did not want the state to be divided. But of late, I realized that districts like Srikakulam which has the lowest per capita income among the districts of Andhra Pradesh would develop only if Andhra region becomes a separate state. We will make either Vijayawada or  Guntur as the capital of Andhra Pradesh." he said.

Expressing his stand on the bifurcation of the state, he said he would inform the same to Sri Krishna Committee.

``I would abide by the High Command's  decision,'' the  Minister added

Welcoming Botsa’s statement, Telangana Rashtra Samiti leader KT Rama Rao, said the other leaders of Andhra  region should also follow the suit and support the bifurcation of the state.

Telugu Desam Party leader Venugopalachari also welcomed Botsa’s stand.

On the other hand, Congress and TDP  leaders from Andhra region criticized Botsa’s statement stating that Botsa might have some selfish motive behind this revised stand.