Hyderabad can’t be shared: MIM

Hyderabad, Nov. 6: The Majlis-e-ittehadul-Muslimeen today said it wouldn’t share Hyderabad as capital with another state or accept it as a Union territory, making it clear the infotech hub was non-negotiable in the run-up to redrawing Andhra Pradesh.

MIM chief and MP Asaduddin Owaisi also laid claim to two districts in the Rayalaseema region, saying Anantpur and Kurnool should be included in the new Telangana state.

Owaisi, who released a 46-page document in response to queries by the Centre, said there was “no clarity” on the status of Hyderabad in the cabinet note on the planned division or on the “terms of reference” of the group of ministers (GoM) set up to handle the bifurcation.

The GoM had written to all parties in Andhra seeking clarifications on nine issues, including law and order, revenue, geographical boundaries, Hyderabad’s status and sharing of electricity and water.

Owaisi, the MIM’s lone MP, said his party was against the bifurcation of the state but if Andhra had to be split, Anantpur and Kurnool should be added to the existing 10 Telangana districts. Sources said that would give the new Telangana state complete control over sharing of Krishna waters, apart from greater political leverage.

The Telangana region now accounts for 117 Assembly seats. Together, these two Rayalaseema districts would add another 28 Assembly segments and eight Lok Sabha seats.

Owaisi’s focus, however, appeared to be Hyderabad as he rejected a Chandigarh-type joint capital formula as part of the final blueprint. “Even if there is a joint capital for a while, the control and jurisdiction of the other state (Seemandhra) should be within either the Khairatabad mandal or the Jubilee Hills Assembly segment and cannot be over entire Hyderabad…” the former Congress ally said.

The Khairatabad mandal, in Hyderabad, is where the state secretariat is located now. The mandal falls under the Jubilee Hills Assembly segment.

Owaisi said his party wouldn’t accept central control on Hyderabad over subjects like law and order, revenue and health. His wish list also included two 4,000MW projects for Hyderabad and a separate public service commission for Telangana and protection for minorities and Dalits in the state reorganisation bill.