Kiran ‘reconciles’ to Telangana

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Hyderabad: Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy made a comment on Monday that seems to suggest the he is reconciled to the state’s division. “Okkatunna...rendunna...mana rashtrale kada?” (be it one or two, they are our states),” he said while reacting to a question during a press conference he held to rebut Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s criticism of the Congress governments at both Centre and state.
The Chief Minister made this comment within days of demanding that the Centre not proceed with bifurcation without addressing the genuine concerns of the people of Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. In the course of the press conference, the Chief Minister repeatedly referred to “our state” when explaining progress in various sectors.
This prompted a reporter from a vernacular daily to tell the Chief Minister that he had used the word “our state” 21 times, but would it remain one state any more? The Chief Minister immediately replied that it did not really matter if the state is one or two as both belonged to “us” (apparently meaning Telugus).
He, however, did not take further questions on the subject and ended his press conference.
CM, Botsa fault Modi
Hyderabad: Several Congress leaders including PCC chief Botsa Satyanarayana  denied allegations made by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi at a public meeting on Sunday. Congress leaders criticised Modi for not speaking about public problems and national issues; his only agenda was accusing the Congress.
PCC president Botsa Satyanarayana speaking to media at Gandhi Bhavan on Monday said, “Modi's comments on the PM and  defence ministry were objectionable.” He alleged that Modi had insulted the Army. He said  the Army has proved its ability many times in the past. Everyone says that Modi has developed Gujarat, but Gujarat was developed even before his birth, Botsa said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy said he was proud to claim that no state can match Andhra Pradesh in implementing welfare and development initiatives. “This is not Gujarat. Our people are politically vigilant and the communal forces can not influence or instigate them,” he said.
The Chief Minister ridiculed Modi for copying the poll slogan “yes we can” of US President Barack Obama who proudly claimed that he was inspired by stalwarts like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King. He said saying lies do not suit a person like Modi who is aiming to be the Prime Minister.