Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy on Monday observed that chances of carving out a separate Telangana state from Andhra Pradesh in the near future were not that bright and that the proposed rapid development of the backward region would help to keep the state united.
"Personally, I believe Telangana becoming a state in the near future is not that bright," Reddy said at an industry meet in Bangalore.
"Telangana coming or not coming will not be a factor in the growth of Hyderabad. Hyderabad has surpassed that particular stage," Reddy said, when asked by a participant on the impact of a separate Telangana state on the industry and growth of Hyderabad.
"The decision (on the Telangana issue) has been left to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and to other parties championing the cause (of a Telangana state)," he said, adding that the state government planned to take up the development of Telangana on a speedy mode in the next two to three years, which would take care of the demand for a separate Telangana and keep Andhra Pradesh united.
Speaking to reporters later, he said his government was already in the process of coordinating with neighbouring states to tackle naxalite problem. "Fortunately, for Andhra Pradesh, our police force is very well prepared to tackle it," he said, adding that by and large, the naxal problem was under control.
"Extremist problem is limited only to fringe areas surrounding the forests," the chief minister noted.