By Ramesh Kandula
Almost every Telangana leader mentions the figure of 4.5 cr. It is supposed to be the entire population of the region wanting division. Political leaders of all hues as well as many self-styled senior journalists and intellectuals take to the figure at the slightest provocation.
If it is a correct figure, then the population of coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema put together should be less than 4 crore, considering the population of the entire state is 8.46 cr, according to 2011 census.
But as usual, facts are slightly different. Anybody can google to find the real figures. They are the following: Telangana – 3.52 cr (35286757), Andhra & Rayalaseema – 4.93 cr (49378776).
Separately, Coastal Andhra – 3.41 cr (34193868), Rayalaseema – 1.51 cr (15184908).
Remember that among T districts, Ranga Reddy (5296396) has the highest population, followed by Mahbubnagar (4042191) and Hyderabad (4010238). Given that Ranga Reddy and Hyderabad have a large number of people from other states and from other regions within the state, the actual T population will be lesser than the figure mentioned above.
Then why is it that everyone without exception in Telangana drums up this factually incorrect figure? Why is it no intellectual or academician from the region set the fact right? Will such an inflated figure help the cause in any way!
