Telangana backlash: Andhra Pradesh plunges into political crisis

Friday December 11, 2009, Hyderabad

Andhra Pradesh is now deeply divided over the Centre's decision to carve out a separate state of Telangana. The state is now in the grip of a political crisis with 43 MLAs of the ruling Congress resigning. More are likely to resign today. Costal Andhra and Rayalaseema are up in arms against the formation of Telangana; a bandh has been called in Rayalaseema today. Students from coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema have now launched a counter agitation. They staged demonstrations yesterday with the protesters turning violent in several areas. It's now a bitter battle for Hyderabad as the TRS says there can be no Telangana without the city. Industry is now deeply worried about Hyderabad's brand .