Telangana: MLAs hit the road for new districts

Hyderabad: After a brief lull, demand for new districts has picked up again in the state. Former minister and Congress Gadwal MLA D.K. Aruna launched a padayatra from Jamulamma temple in Gadwal mandal to Jogulamba temple in Alampur, about 60 km away, for a new Jogulamba district with Gadwal as it headquarters. Alampur MLA S.A. Sampath Kumar, Zilla Sadhana Samiti members, local Congress leaders and supporters are participating in the padayatra which is likely to be completed in three days.

“Despite having all infrastructure and eligibility, the government is not considering a Gadwal district. I am ready to sacrifice my life for this,” Ms Aruna said, after offering prayers at the Jamulamma temple in Jammichedu village of Gadwal mandal. She alleged that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao was promoting Wanaparthy as a district for political gains. “There is widespread demand and resentment over the CM’s decision. KCR should open his eyes at least now seeing the huge turnout for Jogulamba district,” she said.

Mr Sampath Kumar said since the past one year, all sections of people were agitating for new Gadwal district and naming it after Jogulamba. “The TRS government remains unmoved. If the government ignores public wish, it will have to pay a heavy price. People’s demand is genuine.” The CM, who held a meeting with collectors and other senior officials on formation of districts tentatively decided on 24 districts in all and 74 additional mandals. As per the proposals, Mahbubnagar will be split into Mahbubnagar, Wanaparthy and Nagarkurnool districts.