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"We respect the sentiment of Telangana people but we are neither in a position to grant statehood or block it. It is for the central government to take a right decision that will not harm the interests of the people of different regions of Andhra Pradesh," Jagan said, delivering the valedictory address at the two-day plenary of his new party at Rajiv Knowledge Valley.
By spelling out his stand, though in a rather ambiguous manner, Jagan tried to buy peace with the pro-Telangana forces as he faced a lot of antagonism in the region ever since he held aloft a placard in support of a unified state in Lok Sabha when he was a Congress MP in 2010.
He was prevented from conducting his 'Odarpu yatra' in Warangal district, the hotbed of Telangana agitation, till he came out with a clear view on the statehood demand.
The MP-elect lashed out at the central government for "playing with the lives of people of Andhra Pradesh" for many years now on the vexatious statehood issue.
"AP is in total chaos. People are ending lives; properties are getting damaged. The government is solely responsible for this. It should stop playing this game at once and take a right decision that does not harm the interests of people of different regions and lead to further acrimony," Jagan demanded.