The Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, who has revolted against the bifurcation decision, is all set for a full-fledged war against the Congress high command.
The signals were clearly visible at the the venue of the inauguration of Pulichintala multi-purpose irrigation project in Guntur district.
The pictures of the UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi were conspicuous by their absence at the dais.
The venue was named after the Jai Andhra movement leader Kakani Venkataratnam. The flexi-boards and banners did not have the pictures of the UPA leaders or even the state ministers.
Only Chief Minister's pictures adored the meeting venue. It is widely believed that Kiran will use the occasion to declare a war on the UPA government and his own party for deciding to divide the state. He is expected to use the platform to explain to the people why he has been opposing the bifurcation of the state.
The inauguration of Pulichintal project may well turn out to be the last high-profile official outing for the Chief Minister who has made it clear that he would not preside over the division of the state.
The project is aimed at irrigating 13 lakh acres through stabilization of Krishna delta. The total cost of the project is Rs 1,831 crore. Built across river Krishna, the dam is 1,290 meters long and 42 meters high. It will generate 120 MW of hydel power.
Kiran and his Seemandhra supporters in the Assembly are gearing up to defeat the draft bill when it is sent to the House for its opinion. Soon after opposing the bill, there may be en mass resignations by the Seemandhra legislators and Ministers.
