Talking to reporters here Thursday, Rao appealed to people of Andhra and Rayalaseema regions to bid adieu to 2009 by parting as friends.

KCR, as Rao is popularly known, also advised leaders of the two regions not to create unnecessary hurdles in the formation of Telangana state. “Don’t create a divide between the people. Let us part as friends,” he said.

The TRS chief, whose 11-day fast early this month forced the central government to agree to the demand for granting statehood to Telangana, said he would attend the Jan 5 meeting of the eight parties called by the central government to discuss the Telangana issue.

KCR welcomed Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s statement made Thursday that the meeting was called to prepare a roadmap for carving out Telangana state.

The TRS leader claimed that the Jan 5 meeting was the beginning of the process for formation of Telangana state. “I have no doubt that Telangana state will be a reality in 2010,” he said.