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NEW DELHI: The Srikrishna Committee has given an elaborate explanation on why it sees a united Andhra with a statutory mechanism to speed up development of Telangana region along with the creation of Telangana with Hyderabad as capital as the only two workable options. ( Read: Srikrishna committee favours united Andhra )

The committee turned down the option of maintaining status quo saying it would not be a practical approach and that some intervention is definitely required. Its view on this score has been shaped largely by the fear of the backlash if the option of not doing anything was exercised. ( Read: Telangana sentiment finds resonance )

"With Telangana Praja Front (TPF-Gaddar) once again joining hands with TRS, indications are that such agitations are likely to be highly emotional and serious". The committee goes on to the repercussions the likely protests would have had on Hyderabad and its image and the elected representatives who, it apprehends, would be under pressure to quit. "The Maoist movement is also likely to get a fillip in such a situation", the committee has said.

The committee has given a thumbs down to the option of dividing Andhra Pradesh into Seemandhara and Telangana while designating Hyderabad as a Union Territory also because of hostility it would have met with in Telangana. ( Read: UT or bifurcation? Fate of Hyderabad undecided )

Implied in the "no" the recognition of the pivotal status of Hyderabad as well as the fact that Telangana will never countenance separation from a city which is the very heart of the proposed state. The committee notes that while the coastal Andhra and Rayalseema will be comfortable with the proposal which seeks to guarantee their interests in Hyderabad, a UT tag for the AP capital "will give rise to a renewed and serious agitation" in Telangana. ( Read: Osmania students fight with forces )

It also says that Telangana's resentment will make it difficult for Hyderabad to function as a UT, and could result in water and supplies to the city being blocked. In short, it says that the dream of Telangana can never be fulfilled if Hyderabad is not part of it. ( Read: No compromise on statehood, Hyderabad, says KCR )

The committee cites protests from Telangana as well as supporters of the United AP plank as the reason for not considering the option of partioning the state into Rayala-Telangana and Coastal Andhra, with Hyderabad being an integral part of the former. It says that Muslims from Telangana favour the option where they will have a larger presence than in Telangana. It is also second preference for the Rayalseema region, the first being United AP.

But it will not be accepted by Telangana which resents the political leadership from the Rayalseema region holding them responsible for unfair treatment of the region. ( Read: Separate state just a poor man's pitch? )

While it felt that the option will protect Hyderabad's status as economic hub, it conceded that it would never be accepted by Telangana, keeping alive the threat of unrest.