The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Hyderabad): Hyderabad, a major metropolitan city in India, has ceased to be the common capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh as of Sunday, in accordance with the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014. Starting June 2, 2024, Hyderabad will exclusively be the capital city of Telangana.
When the bifurcation of undivided Andhra Pradesh occurred in 2014, Hyderabad was designated as the joint capital of both states for a period of 10 years. Telangana officially became a state on June 2, 2014, fulfilling a long-standing demand for statehood following the passage of the AP Reorganisation bill in Parliament in February 2014.
The AP Reorganisation Act stated, “On and from the appointed day (June 2), Hyderabad in the existing State of Andhra Pradesh, shall be the common capital of the State of Telangana and the State of Andhra Pradesh for such period not exceeding ten years. After expiry of the period referred to in sub-section (1), Hyderabad shall be the capital of the State of Telangana and there shall be a new capital for the State of Andhra Pradesh.”
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had instructed officials last month to reclaim buildings such as the Lake View government guest house in Hyderabad, which had been allocated to Andhra Pradesh for the 10-year period. Despite the decade-long separation, issues such as the bifurcation of assets between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana remain unresolved.
The Telangana government intended to address these bifurcation issues in a cabinet meeting. However, the meeting did not take place, allegedly due to the Election Commission’s refusal to grant permission because of the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha polls.
