Thursday, Jan 30, 2014
Hyderabad: In a symbolic move without any constitutional implications, Andhra Pradesh legislature today passed a resolution rejecting the draft state reorganisation bill 2013 aimed at dividing the state and forming new state of Telangana.
A resolution moved by the Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy was passed by voice vote in the assembly amid chaos and bedlam on the last day of the stormy winter session. While the members from Seemandhra regions supported the resolution calling the bill as unconstitutional, Telangana members vociferously opposed the resolution.
“The bill ignores the very basis of the formation of Andhra Pradesh state,” said the resolution.
With the passage of the resolution both Houses of Andhra Pradesh legislature were adjourned without assigning a day for the next meeting. In all probability this was the last session of the present assembly before the next general election. It would also be the last session of the assembly of united Andhra Pradesh if the centre goes ahead with the division of the state within a month.
The Chief Minister and other leaders from the Seemandhra region were happy over the passage of resolution by voice vote, which they said sent a message that the majority of the legislators [belonging to Seemandhra region] were against the division of the state.
“History will take note of the resolution”, said P. Keshav, a senior legislator of the TDP.
At the same time the rejection of the bill highlighted the fact that the legislature was bitterly divided along regional lines as all the members from Telangana region opposed the resolution and supported the bill.
The rejection of the bill was expected because an overwhelming majority of the members belong to Seemandhra region. In the House of 295 members, 175 belong to Andhra and Rayalaseema regions, constituting a stumbling block in accepting the decades old demand for formation of Telangana state.
Many Congress leaders from Telangana region, including deputy chief minister Damodar Rajanarasimha, strongly condemned the rejection of the bill and described it as “immaterial and irrelevant to the process of bifurcation”.
As Thursday was the last day for debate on the bill, both sides were determined to have the final say.
As soon as the House met the Speaker read out the notice served by the Chief Minister to introduce a resolution rejecting the draft bill. Even as the Telangana members strongly protested and rushed to the podium, the Speaker called for a voice vote and declared after, “yes have it,” as he adjourned the House.
A “victorious” Chief Minister shouted slogans of “Jai Samakhya Andhra Pradesh” (Long Live united Andhra Pradesh) while leaving the House.
Chairman Chakrapani also adjourned the Upper House after events unfolded in similar fashion.
Reacting to the development Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha said that the rejection of the bill made no difference.
“We have achieved our goal of sending the bill from the state legislature to the President. Under Article 3 of the constitution the centre has all the powers to divide a state,” Rajanarasimha said.
Senior minister from Telangana region K. Jana Reddy described the resolution as unconstitutional.
“The bill was sent for the opinion of the House and not for any voting,” he said.
“The rejection of the bill in the Assembly has no meaning. The bill will be passed in the Parliament next month and the Chief Minister will have to quit politics,” said senior TRS leader K Taraka Rama Rao.
“The bill is not worth the paper it is printed on,” he said.
Jayprakash Narayan of Lok Satta party said that the bill was against the federal spirit.
“If the centre passes the bill arbitrarily, how will five crore [50 million] people accept it,” he asked.
The main opposition Telugu Desam too appeared divided on regional lines.
E. Dayakar Rao from Telangana said that the completion of the debate in the Assembly was a big victory for the people of the region.
“Parliament will pass the bill to form Telangana state in February,” he said.
But TDP members from Seemandhra were happy over the rejection of the bill.
“The bill sent by the President has been rejected. The fact that the resolution of the Chief Minister was passed by the House will be remembered in history,” said TDP member P Keshav.
The bill referred by the President Pranab Mukherjee was introduced in the assembly on December 16 and debated for more than 56 hours over a period of 23 days. It was marked by disruptions, heated and bitter exchanges.
On Wednesday, Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy had dared the centre to introduce the bill in its present form in parliament saying if it happens he would quit politics.
By Mohammed Siddique Correspondent
Gulf News 2014. All rights reserved.
