Andhra Pradesh stands at a historic T-junction. The largest south Indian State, with 23 districts, is on the verge of bifurcation, with Telangana (10 districts) set to emerge as the 29th State in the Indian Union.

The Congress-led UPA’s decision on July 30 will end the reluctant integration of Telangana with the coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions in 1956.

Andhra Pradesh was the first State to be formed on a linguistic basis.

The demand for Telangana, which has seen several agitations in the past 57 years, was based on arguments concerning the region’s neglect, inequitable resource-sharing and lack of opportunities for its people.

The State-to-be will have to deal with all the challenges of growth and pangs of separation among the 8 crore Telugu-speaking population.

While the bone of contention is Hyderabad, the capital that has become a globally recognised city, issues of government jobs, river water, power and mineral resource-sharing, apart from the public debt of 1.6 lakh crore, need to be amicably addressed in the days and weeks ahead.

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