Balance tilting in favour of united AP: committee

"After considering all aspects, the Committee found the balance (was) tilting in favour of keeping the (Andhra Pradesh) state united, though some valid and strong reasons that had continued to cause discontent in Telangana region since its merger indicated that the demand for separation was also not entirely unjustified," the panel said in its prologue to the 505-page report that was publicised today, even as it came out with six options on the statehood issue.

"The united Andhra option is being suggested for continuing the development momentum of the three regions and keeping in mind the national perspective," the committee pointed out, adding, "With firm political and administrative management it should be possible to convey conviction to the people that this option would be in the best interest of all and would provide satisfaction to the maximum number of people in the state."

It would also take care of the uncertainty over the future of Hyderabad as a bustling educational, industrial and IT hub and destination, it said.

"Andhra Pradesh today stands as one of the front-runners among the progressive states in the country. Indeed, it could arguably be said that this very progress has led Telangana to revive the demand for a separate state in order to gain greater political space and to bridge more rapidly the remaining, though diminishing, disparities," the panel said.