Hyderabad: Senior Congress leader and Advisor to the Telangana Government Mohammed Ali Shabbir criticised Jana Sena chief and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan for raising questions about Telangana’s formation and reigniting the Telangana statehood debate.
In a statement on Monday, Shabbir said Telangana achieved statehood through a constitutional process after decades of public struggle and sacrifice. He argued that attempts to revisit the issue were politically motivated and unnecessary.
Telangana statehood debate should remain settled, says Shabbir
Shabbir maintained that the formation of Telangana was a closed chapter that emerged through democratic and constitutional mechanisms. He said reopening the Telangana statehood debate served no constructive purpose.
According to the Congress leader, Telangana’s creation reflected the aspirations of people who participated in a long movement for separate statehood. He alleged that Pawan Kalyan was reviving an issue that had already been resolved.
Furthermore, Shabbir claimed that the Jana Sena leader was echoing criticism previously voiced by the Bharatiya Janata Party regarding Telangana’s formation. He also alleged that Pawan Kalyan was attempting to gain political relevance in Telangana.
Telangana statehood debate linked to political motives
The Congress leader questioned the purpose behind raising concerns about the state’s formation at this stage. He argued that political leaders should focus on current governance challenges instead of revisiting historical issues. Shabbir said the Telangana statehood debate should not become a tool for political mobilisation.
He also claimed that attempts to provoke regional sentiments could create unnecessary tensions. According to him, responsible leadership required respect for democratic decisions and constitutional processes.
Telangana statehood debate should not affect inter-state ties
Shabbir called for stronger cooperation between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. He urged leaders from both states to focus on dialogue and coordination rather than engaging in political controversies.
Moreover, he said pending inter-state issues should be resolved through discussions and mutual understanding. The Congress leader stressed that maintaining cordial relations between the two Telugu-speaking states remained important for regional development. He reiterated that the Telangana statehood debate had already been settled through constitutional means and should not be reopened for political reasons.