Hyderabad ceased to be the common capital of the two Telugu-speaking states on Sunday and from June 2, the metropolitan city will be the capital of Telangana only.
As per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, Hyderabad was made the common capital of both states for a period of 10 years. Telangana came into existence on June 2, 2014.
"On and from the appointed day (June 2), Hyderabad in the existing State of Andhra Pradesh, shall be the common capital of the State of Telangana and the State of Andhra Pradesh for such period not exceeding ten years," said the AP Reorganisation Act. "After expiry of the period referred to in sub-section (1), Hyderabad shall be the capital of the State of Telangana and there shall be a new capital for the State of Andhra Pradesh," it added. The formation of Telangana State was fulfilment of a decades-long demand.
Though the common capital, then Chandrababu Naidu government in Andhra Pradesh moved key administration buildings out of Hyderabad to other parts of the state within a year. The Naidu government moved administration to Velagapudi in Amaravati, where he constructed a new secretariat. The Andhra Pradesh Assembly and High Court were also shifted within a couple of years after bifurcation.
According to reports, the Andhra government now continues to use only three buildings in Hyderabad– Hermitage official building complex at Adarsh Nagar, the Crime Investigation Department (CID) building at Lakdi-ka-pool and the Lake View guest house.
Hindustan Times, quoting a senior Telangana government official reported that the Andhra Pradesh government had written to the state government, requesting that it be allowed to retain these three buildings for one more year until permanent structures are identified to house them in Andhra.
“It wants to continue to run its offices in Hyderabad for some more time, till they get permanent buildings in Andhra Pradesh. It even offered to pay rent for the same starting June 2,” the publication reported quoting the official.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had last month told officials to take over, after June 2, buildings like the Lake View government guest house in Hyderabad which were given to Andhra Pradesh for a period of 10 years.
Despite ten long years after separation, several issues such as bifurcation of assets are still unresolved between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The Telangana government sought to discuss issues related to bifurcation at a cabinet meeting, but it did not happen as the Election Commission allegedly did not give a nod to it in view of the model of conduct for Lok Sabha polls.
-with inputs from agencies.