The ruling Congress party is said to be divided over the upcoming meeting between chief ministers of two Telugu States  N. Chandrababu Naidu and Revanth Reddy at Praja Bhavan on Saturday to discuss issues related to bifurcation. A significant section of the Congress party have reportedly expressed disapproval over the extensive display of flexi banners celebrating Naidu’s visit to Hyderabad for this meeting.

As TDP has emerged as the key supporter to Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Center being the second largest party, next to only BJP in the ruling alliance, Congress high- command also said to be not showing interest over this summit.

It is evident that the meeting is taking place with the initiative of Chandrababu Naidu and due his rapport with him Revanth Reddy responded simultaneously even without discussing with his senior cabinet colleagues and also party high-command.  

As preparations intensify for the high-profile meeting, a notable segment within the Congress ranks in Telangana has voiced dissent against the lavish display of TDP banners across Hyderabad. This internal rift underscores deep-seated divisions and with critics within Congress arguing that the ostentatious show of support for AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu undermines the party’s stance. 

The controversy surrounding the placement of Chandrababu Naidu’s flexi near the Jubilee Hills checkpost, binitially halted by traffic police due to safety concerns, has further fueled tensions. While police officials maintain that their actions were solely motivated by public safety, the incident has been interpreted by some as a reflection of political friction ahead of the scheduled meeting between the two Chief Ministers.

The Chief Ministers are expected to address pressing issues affecting both states, including water management, infrastructure development, and economic collaboration. It is imperative that these discussions transcend political posturing and lead to concrete solutions that benefit the people of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

As political tensions rise and differing opinions within the Congress party in Telangana come to the fore, it is paramount that tomorrow’s meeting remains focused on productive dialogue and collaborative problem- solving.

Meanwhile, BJP state vice president and former MLA NVVS Prabhakar has expressed apprehensions that whether this meeting will take place at all? While welcoming the meeting to find out a resolution to contentious issues between two Telugu states, he fears that even at the last minute this meeting is likely to be differed on some or other pretext. He wondered whether the Congress high- command had given approval for this meeting?