As Andhra Pradesh is bifurcated with effect from midnight of June 2, Telangana braces for celebrations. The State capital and the remaining nine districts are painted pink, the colour synonymous with the demand for separate Statehood for Telangana.
All major roads are dotted with pink flags. The Gun Park near the State Assembly is abuzz with activity, with scores of people from the new State, thronging the Martyrs' pylon to pay tributes to those who laid down their lives in the movement in the last few decades.
People representing several walks of life, employees, journalists, poets and writers, political party activists have lined up meetings in the evening in different parts of the city.
K Chandrasekhara Rao, Telangana Rashtra Samithi President, who spearheaded the 15-year-old movement, is going to take oath as the Chief Minister of the 29th State in the country at the Raj Bhavan on June 2, the appointed day for the bifurcation of one of the biggest States in the country.
While the new State will have 10 districts, the residual Andhra Pradesh will have 13 districts. N Chandrababu Naidu, the Telugu Desam President, will take charge as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on June 8.
The President Rule, which ends in Telangana tomorrow morning, will continue in Andhra Pradesh till the new Chief Ministers take oath.