A rare bonhomie between the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, N. Chandrababu Naidu and K. Chandrasekhar Rao respectively, was all too evident at the foundation laying ceremony for Amaravati on Thursday.
Setting aside the bitterness between the two, Naidu had personally invited Rao for the event at Uddandarayunipalem village in Guntur district, and the latter reciprocated the gesture by attending it.
The new-found warmth earned wholesome praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union urban development minister M. Venkaiah Naidu, both of whom stressed on the need for the two states to work together on the path of progress and development. “When I got the invitation for Amaravati, I told (Chandra) Babu that I will definitely come, but when I read in newspapers that Chandrababu went to Telangana Chief Minister’s residence and gave invitation, when I got this information, my joy knew no bounds,” Modi said in his speech, after laying the foundation stone for the new capital Amaravati.
Driving home the point that Telangana and AP should have cordial relations, Modi said both share the “Telugu soul” though they are different states. Rao offered the cooperation of Telangana government and extended greetings of the people in building the capital city of Andhra Pradesh.
The Telangana CM expressed hope that Amaravati would be developed into a world-class capital. On his part, Chandrababu referred to Rao as his friend and appreciated his presence. Rao was the only chief minister (from state other than AP) who attended the event. He also accompanied the Prime Minister as they walked through ‘Amaravati Pavilion’, which showcased evolution of Amaravati, a place of immense historical, mythological and cultural significance, its present and future.
The ruling Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh and the Telangana Rashtra Samiti in Telangana have been at loggerheads on several issues, including the recent alleged cash-for-vote scandal involving a TDP MLA and defection of some TDP legislators to Telangana Rashtra Samithi in Telangana.
The two states had also engaged in ugly spats on issues, including sharing of river water and electricity, post bifurcation of AP last year.
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