Post-Independence Era in Andhra Pradesh | APPSC State Specific Preparation Course - APPSC (Andhra Pradesh) PDF Download

Struggle for Andhra State

• The Andhras had been striving for the establishment of a separate Andhra Province since the British era, but their efforts remained unfulfilled. With India's independence on August 15, 1947, Andhras hoped that their longstanding aspiration would soon materialize. Despite numerous attempts by Andhra leaders to persuade Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhai Patel, the dream of a separate Andhra State remained elusive.
• The Dar Commission, appointed by the Government of India and chaired by S.K. Dar, did not recommend the creation of states based on linguistic considerations. This report sparked strong opposition in Andhra, prompting Congress leaders to address the concerns of the Telugu people. An unofficial committee, comprising Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel, and Pattabhi Sitaramaiah, known as the J.V.P. Committee, was formed by the Congress. In its report submitted to the Indian National Congress Working Committee in April 1949, the committee suggested postponing the creation of linguistic provinces for a few years. However, it proposed that an Andhra Province could be formed if Andhras relinquished their claim to the city of Madras (now Chennai). This recommendation triggered intense opposition in Andhra as the Telugus were unwilling to abandon their claims to Madras.
• Amidst this situation, a Partition Committee led by Kumaraswami Raja, the Chief Minister of Madras at the time, was established. Tanguturi Prakasam, B. Gopala Reddi, Kala Venkata Rao, and N. Sanjiva Reddy represented Andhra in the committee. However, the Partition Committee failed to reach a consensus, with Prakasam dissenting from the views of other members. The Government of India capitalized on Prakasam's dissenting note and shelved the issue. To protest the inaction, Swami Sitaram (Gollapudi Sitarama Sastry), a Gandhian, undertook a hunger strike, leading to a volatile situation in Andhra. However, Swami ended his 35-day fast on September 20, 1951, following an appeal by Vinoba Bhave. Despite the fast, it only intensified the distrust of the Andhra people towards their leaders and the Government of India.
• In the 1952 First General Elections, Andhras vented their frustration against Congress leaders by voting them out. Congress managed to secure only 43 out of 140 seats in the Madras Legislative Assembly from Andhra, while the Communist Party of India won 40 out of 60 seats it contested. In the Madras Legislative Assembly overall, Congress secured only 152 seats. The non-Congress members, totaling 164, formed a United Democratic Front (U.D.F.) and elected T. Prakasam as their leader. However, despite this, the Governor nominated C. Rajagopala Chari to the Legislative Council and invited him to form the ministry.
• Once Rajagopala Chari assumed office as Chief Minister of Madras State, he attempted to redirect Krishna waters by constructing the Krishna-Pennar Project to benefit the Tamil area. Andhras protested against this fearing it would harm Andhra. The Government of India appointed an expert Committee chaired by A.N. Khosla, which recommended that the project should not proceed in its present form and suggested building a project at Nandikonda instead (the present site of the Nagarjunasagar Project). The Khosla Committee's report validated Andhras' concerns about Rajagopala Chari's government's unfriendly attitude towards them, further fueling Andhras' desire for a separate state.
• In this context, Potti Sriramulu, a humble Gandhian, began a hunger strike on October 19, 1952, in Madras. Although the fast sparked widespread agitation throughout Andhra, Congress leaders and the Government of India initially paid little attention to it. Sriramulu passed away on December 15, 1952, triggering violent protests in Andhra. The Government of India was surprised by this popular uprising. On December 19, 1952, Jawaharlal Nehru announced in the Lok Sabha that Andhra State would be formed with eleven Telugu-speaking districts and three taluks of Bellary district, excluding Madras City.
• On October 1, 1953, Andhra State was established, comprising several districts and taluks. Kurnool became its capital as per the terms of the Sri Bagh Pact of 1937. T. Prakasam became the first Chief Minister, with C.M. Trivedi appointed as Governor. With Nehru inaugurating Andhra State, the Telugu people's forty-year-old dream of having their own separate state was partially fulfilled. They now aimed for the formation of Visalandhra with Hyderabad City as the capital.

Police Action in Hyderabad State

• Andhras were deeply concerned about the situation in the Hyderabad State between 1946 and 1948. The Nizam harbored ambitions of independence and sought to establish Hyderabad as a separate dominion, with the assistance of Khasim Razvi and his militant group, the Razakars.
• In response, the Hindu population of the Hyderabad State, constituting 93 percent of its inhabitants, initiated the 'Join India' movement. They collaborated with a few patriotic Muslims to advocate for the integration of the State with the rest of India. State Congress leaders, led by Swami Ramanand Tirtha, actively participated in this movement despite the ban imposed on the State Congress by the Nizam. They conducted their activities from places like Vijayawada and Bombay. Additionally, the Communists organized village defense squads to protect villagers from attacks by the Nizam Police and Razakars.
• All attempts at negotiation between the Nizam's Dominions and the Indian Union failed as the Nizam's government refused to accede to the Indian Union. The activities of the Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen and the Razakars within the Dominions posed a significant threat to peace and harmony. The escalating violence of the Razakars seriously undermined law and order. The Government of India attempted to persuade the Nizam to sign the Instrument of Accession with India. After prolonged negotiations, the Nizam finally entered into a 'Stand Still Agreement' on November 29, 1947, with India, agreeing to maintain the status quo that existed between the British and the Nizam before August 15, 1947. However, it was evident that the Nizam's intention was to buy time to procure military equipment from various parts of the world and smuggle them into Hyderabad. Concurrently, the Nizam sent a delegation to the U.N.O. to refer the Hyderabad case to the Security Council.
• With the escalating violence by the Razakars and the Nizam's attempts to gain independence, the Government of India decided to suppress these tendencies by initiating a 'Police Action' against the Nizam. On September 13, 1948, the 'Police Action' on Hyderabad began. The Indian Army, under the command of Major-General J.N.Chaudhuri, entered the State from five directions, and the military operation was highly successful. On September 18, 1949, the Nizam's forces surrendered, and Mir Laik Ali, the Prime Minister of the Nizam, and Khasim Razvi were arrested. On September 23, the Nizam withdrew his complaint from the Security Council. The merger of Hyderabad Dominions into the Indian Union was officially announced. Major-General J.N.Chaudhuri assumed the role of Military Governor of Hyderabad and held that position until the end of 1949. In January 1950, M.K.Vellodi, a Senior Civil Servant, was appointed as the Chief Minister of the State, and the Nizam was designated as 'Raj Pramukh'. Following the 1952 General Elections, the first popular ministry, headed by B.Rama Krishna Rao, assumed office in the State.

Emergence of Andhra Pradesh

• The establishment of the Andhra State in October 1953 further strengthened the widespread demand for linguistic States. Alongside this, Andhras had harbored a longstanding aspiration for the creation of Visalandhra, especially since the people of Hyderabad State were unified in their plea for the division of their State into three parts. Andhras envisioned that the Telugu-speaking regions in Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Mysore, and Madras would be included in the expanded Andhra.
• The States Reorganization Commission, headed by Syed Fazl Ali and appointed by the Government of India in December 1953, after hearing the perspectives of various organizations and individuals, acknowledged the benefits of Visalandhra. However, it recommended the establishment of a separate State for Telangana. This recommendation sparked intense advocacy efforts from both proponents of Telangana and Visalandhra. The Communist Party reacted strongly, announcing their intention to resign from their seats in the Hyderabad Legislative Assembly and contest elections on this issue. Despite this, a majority of legislators in the Hyderabad Legislative Assembly expressed support for Visalandhra.
• After extensive deliberations, the Congress High Command advocated for the formation of Visalandhra and persuaded the leaders of Andhra State and Telangana to reconcile their differences, resulting in a 'Gentlemen's Agreement'. A key provision of this agreement was the establishment of a 'Regional Council' for Telangana to facilitate its comprehensive development. The newly expanded state, comprising nine Telugu-speaking districts merged with the Andhra State's existing eleven districts, totaling 20 districts, was named 'Andhra Pradesh', with Hyderabad designated as its capital. This state was inaugurated on November 1, 1956, by Jawaharlal Nehru. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy assumed office as the first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, later ascending to the presidency of India. Burgula Ramakrishna Rao, the final Chief Minister of Hyderabad State, transitioned to the role of Governor of Kerala. C.M. Trivedi continued as the Governor of Andhra Pradesh.
• Following the formation of Andhra Pradesh, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy served as its initial Chief Minister until June 10, 1960, when he resigned upon assuming the presidency of the All India Congress Committee. He was succeeded by D. Sanjivaiah, a promising leader from the Scheduled Castes. However, after the 1962 General Elections, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy resumed office as Chief Minister on March 12, 1962. He resigned from this position in 1964 following the adverse verdict of the Supreme Court in the Kurnool Transport Nationalisation case, citing moral reasons. Kasu Brahmananda Reddy succeeded him as Chief Minister on February 29, 1964, and remained in office until September 30, 1971. During his tenure, significant developments occurred in both the city and the state, although the Telangana agitation erupted, leading to efforts to address its grievances and implement measures for its development.

Political Crisis in 1969 and 1972

• Between 1969 and 1972, Andhra Pradesh witnessed two significant political upheavals known as the 'Telangana' and 'Jai Andhra' Movements respectively. The Telangana agitation arose from a sense of betrayal among the people of the region, who believed that the Andhra leaders had violated the Gentlemen's Agreement that facilitated the formation of Andhra Pradesh.
• The migration of individuals from the coastal region to Hyderabad led to various social tensions. Over time, dissatisfaction grew among Telangana officials and unemployed youth who felt marginalized by individuals from the Andhra region. The discontent erupted when a student in Khammam commenced a hunger strike in January 1969, demanding the implementation of the safeguards for Telangana outlined in the Gentlemen's Agreement. The agitation gradually spread to Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana. Initially, the movement sought the enforcement of previously agreed-upon safeguards, but later evolved to demand the separation of Telangana from Andhra Pradesh.
• Later, three more districts were added to the state with the creation of Prakasam in 1970, Ranga Reddy in 1978, and Vizianagaram in 1979, bringing the total to 23 districts.
• In the Telangana agitation, the involvement of Congress legislators from the region added momentum to the movement. Dr. Channa Reddy took a leading role by establishing the Telangana Praja Samiti. However, by November 1969, divisions emerged within the Praja Samiti when dissenting Congress legislators realized that Prime Minister Indira Gandhi did not support the idea of a separate Telangana. Consequently, the movement gradually lost steam. In September 1971, Chief Minister Brahmananda Reddy resigned to accommodate a leader from Telangana to assume the role. On September 30, 1971, P.V. Narasimha Rao assumed office as Chief Minister. The Telangana Praja Samiti disbanded, with its members rejoining the Congress.
• In 1972, another agitation known as the Jai Andhra Movement erupted in the Andhra region. This movement stemmed from the Telangana agitation's demand that only 'Mulkis' (local residents) should be appointed to positions in Telangana, including Hyderabad city. The 'Mulki' issue had historical roots dating back to 1919 when the Nizam of Hyderabad issued a decree stipulating that only 'Mulkis' were eligible for public appointments in the state. Even after the formation of Andhra Pradesh, the Mulki rules remained in place in the Telangana region. These rules prevented individuals from the Andhra region from competing for positions, prompting a legal challenge in the High Court. A majority decision by a full bench of the High Court ruled that the Mulki rules were no longer valid after the formation of Andhra Pradesh.
• However, following an appeal by the State Government, the Supreme Court ruled on October 3, 1972, that the Mulki rules were valid and enforceable. This decision sparked a significant political crisis in the state. Residents of the Andhra region felt marginalized in their own state capital and believed that the only way to preserve their dignity was to separate from Telangana. Consequently, a movement for the separation of the Andhra region from Andhra Pradesh gained momentum.
• As the agitation persisted, President's rule was imposed in the state on January 10, 1973. Eventually, a political resolution was reached under the supervision of the Central Government. Leaders from both regions agreed to a 'Six-Point Formula' aimed at preventing similar agitations in the future. The 'Six-Point Formula' included the abolition of Mulki rules and the Telangana Regional Committee, as well as the establishment of a Central University in Hyderabad to enhance educational opportunities.
• On December 10, 1973, President's rule was lifted, and a popularly elected ministry led by Sri Jalagam Vengala Rao assumed office, restoring normalcy and political stability to the state.
• In the general elections held in February 1978 for the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, the Congress Party secured a landslide victory, and Dr. M. Channa Reddy assumed office as the sixth Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on March 6, 1978. He declared that the issue of separate Telangana was no longer on the agenda. However, due to internal factional disputes within the party, Dr. Channa Reddy resigned in October 1980, and he was succeeded by T. Anjaiah, who held the position for only one year and four months. In February 1982, he was replaced by Sri Bhavanam Venkataram, who in turn was succeeded by Sri K. Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy in September 1982. Thus, Andhra Pradesh witnessed four different Chief Ministers in just four years.
• He served as Prime Minister of India from 1991 to 1996.
• The frequent changes in Chief Ministers orchestrated by the Congress High Command bred discontent among the populace. Capitalizing on this dissatisfaction, N.T. Rama Rao, a prominent figure in the film industry, founded a regional party called the 'Telugu Desam' in January 1983 and contested the 1983 General Elections to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. His party emerged victorious, and Rama Rao was sworn in as the tenth Chief Minister of the State. However, on August 16, 1984, Nadendla Bhaskara Rao, a cabinet colleague of Rama Rao, managed to become Chief Minister by engineering Rama Rao's dismissal by the Governor. Nevertheless, Rama Rao was reinstated on September 16, 1984, following severe criticism of the Governor's action. In the March 1985 elections, Rama Rao demonstrated his continued popularity by securing an absolute majority in the House.
• Despite some dissatisfaction among the Telugu populace with certain policies of the Telugu Desam Government, the Congress party was returned to power with a significant majority in the 1989 general elections to the State Legislature. Over the next five years, power changed hands among three Chief Ministers: Dr. M. Channa Reddy, N. Janardhana Reddy, and K. Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy. The discontent of the Telugu public was evident in the subsequent return of the Telugu Desam Party to power in 1994. In 1995, N.T. Rama Rao was succeeded by N. Chandrababu Naidu, who served as Chief Minister from 1995 to 2004. The Congress regained power in 2004, and Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy assumed the position of Chief Minister.
• During his tenure, Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy introduced several popular welfare schemes, including the 'INDIRAMMA' housing scheme for weaker sections, the 'Rajiv Arogyasri' program providing corporate healthcare to below poverty line families, the '108' ambulance service and '104' mobile health clinics in rural areas, subsidized rice at Rs. 2 per kilogram, free power supply to farmers, college fee reimbursement schemes, construction of dams and lift irrigation projects under the 'Jalayagnam' initiative, rural employment opportunities under the NREGA program, 'Pavala Vaddi' scheme, and pension schemes for members of self-help groups.
• After the tragic incident of Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's death in a helicopter crash on September 2, 2009, in the Nallamala forest area while en route to Chittoor district to launch the 'Rachabanda' program, he was mourned by the people of the state. Dr. Reddy had won the hearts of the populace through the implementation of several welfare schemes and his unwavering efforts to connect with the people.
• Following his demise, Sri Konijeti Rosaiah was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on September 3, 2009.
• Under his leadership, cashless treatment under the Aarogyasri Scheme was extended to orphans and destitute individuals living in government-run old age homes recognized by the government through the Chief Minister's Camp Office referral system. He also approved further exploration and study of proposals to establish Comprehensive Cancer Care Centers in 7 government hospitals and 16 Palliative Cancer Care Centers in 16 districts, as well as Comprehensive Trauma Care Centers in 6 teaching hospitals through Aarogyasri to enhance access to these critical healthcare services in areas with limited facilities.