CURRENT UPDATE : 29TH STATE OF INDIA

TELANGANA TO BECOME 29^TH STATE OF INDIA FROM MID-NIGHT TONIGHT

Telangana would become a reality as the 29^th state of India from mid-night tonight, capping the decades-old struggle in the region for carving out a separate state from Andhra Pradesh.

President's rule imposed in united Andhra Pradesh would be revoked partially to facilitate the swearing-in of TRS government in the newly-created Telangana headed by K Chandrasekhar Rao. Governor ESL Narasimhan will be the Governor for both Telangana and the residual Andhra Pradesh.

The TRS and other political parties and Telangana supporters have lined up a number of events in Hyderabad and elsewhere to celebrate the realisation of the decades-long dream.

Though Hyderabad will continue as the joint capital for both the new Telangana state and the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh, it has been beautifully decked up for the celebrations. 

As the state formation will come into effect from this midnight, people and administration are braced up for celebrations as they want to be part of the historic moments of realizing their long cherished dreams. 

The Telangana martyrs memorial at the GunPark at the heart of the city abuzz with activity as several leaders are coming for paying homage. Besides Hyderabad, the districts are painted with pink resembling with the TRS party colours as the week-long official celebrations are to begin tomorrow. 

All historic monuments like Charminar and public places including gardens have been lit up with colourful lights. Welcome arches have been set up all through the main roads while huge cutouts of Chandrasekhara Rao who sphere headed the public movement for statehood have been kept at every nook and corner of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. 

All major roads and traffic islands are dotted with colours of political parties. People of different walks of life including students, employees, professionals and political activists are taking part in various programmes lined for celebrating attaining statehood for Telangana.

Meanwhile, the bifurcation of assets and employees has almost been completed. Besides the new official seal, 44 IAS and 31 IPS officials and about 9,900 state level employees are ready to serve the new Telangana state.

The centre has issued ‘Order to Serve’ to these employees to ensure smooth functioning of the new administration.

In the residual Andhra Pradesh central rule would continue until TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu takes charge as Chief Minister, which is likely on June 8.