Hyderabad, Revanth-Chandrababu, meeting, everyone’s eyes,

Hyderabad: The first meeting between A. Revanth Reddy and N Chandrababu Naidu as chief ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on July 6 has generated excitement in both Telugu-speaking states, raising hopes of resolution of post-bifurcation issues. CM Revanth Reddy accepted his counterpart’s meeting proposal and invited CM Naidu to a retreat in Hyderabad, paving the way for the first meeting between the two leaders. It was CM Naidu who wrote to his Telangana counterpart proposing a meeting to discuss matters of mutual interest between the two states. Naidu, who was sworn in as chief minister for the fourth time on June 12, wrote that he looked forward to working closely with him to resolve post-bifurcation issues, enhance cooperation and facilitate progress in both Telugu-speaking states.

“As chief ministers of Telugu-speaking states, it is our obligation to foster close cooperation to ensure continued progress and prosperity for both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. “Our shared commitment to cooperative development is crucial to realising our mutual goals of growth and prosperity,” Naidu wrote. Naidu was the chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh for two terms between 1995 and 2004. The TDP chief, who became the first chief minister of divided Andhra Pradesh in 2014, said it has been 10 years since the bifurcation of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. “There have been many discussions about the issues arising out of the Reorganisation Act, which have significant implications for the welfare and advancement of our states. It is imperative that we address these issues amicably with full sincerity and determination. In view of this, I propose that we meet at your residence on Saturday afternoon, 6th July,” the letter read.

Revanth Reddy, in his response, agreed that it is important to resolve all pending issues of the Bifurcation Act. “A personal meeting is essential to help build a strong basis for mutual cooperation, exchange of views and enable us to better serve our respective people,” he said. The past association between the two leaders has made this meeting different from the efforts made during the last 10 years to resolve issues under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. Revanth Reddy had served as an MLA in the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) led by Chandrababu Naidu in united Andhra Pradesh and later in Telangana. Though Revanth parted ways by joining the Congress party in 2017, the past equation between the two leaders has created excitement about their upcoming meeting. Days after taking charge as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh following the massive victory of the TDP-led NDA, Naidu sought a meeting with Revanth Reddy to discuss issues of mutual interests. CM Revanth Reddy’s prompt response and his invitation to CM Naidu for a face-to-face meeting in Hyderabad has raised hopes. When Naidu was serving as the first chief minister of bifurcated Andhra Pradesh between 2014 and 2019, K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) was his counterpart in Telangana. Though the two leaders were earlier allies in the TDP and had an electoral rapport in the 2009 elections, they did not enjoy a good relationship as KCR and his party TRS always considered TDP an anti-Telangana party. The 2015 cash-for-vote scandal had further fuelled the distrust as KCR accused Naidu of plotting to topple his government. Revanth Reddy, who was then considered close to Naidu, was caught by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) while allegedly trying to buy the vote of nominated MLA Stephenson in favour of TDP candidate Vem Narendra Reddy in the MLC elections. The then TDP MLA Revanth Reddy was also jailed in the bribery case. This episode and subsequent developments forced CM Naidu to shift his base to Vijayawada and develop Amaravati as the capital of Andhra Pradesh, although Hyderabad was declared the common capital for 10 years under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. Though KCR attended the foundation stone laying ceremony of Amaravati and met CM Naidu on several occasions, they could not make any progress in resolving inter-state issues, including division of assets. The relationship deteriorated further when the TDP contested the 2018 assembly elections in Telangana in alliance with the Congress and other parties.