Hyderabad : Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao, a close follower of union minister Chiranjeevi wants a package for the north coastal Andhra districts, on the lines of the package being contemplated for Telangana.

Speaking to the media here on Friday, the minister said while he had no objection to the union government giving a special package to the Telangana region, it should be remembered that there were other areas also which were equally backward. He said the north coastal districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam and Anantapur district in Rayalaseema were also backward and need special attention. He said he would seek special package to the north coastal districts.

Reiterating his stand that the state should be united, Ganta said he would hold a big public meeting on the need for retaining the state united in Visakhapatnam, after the Assembly elections.