Hyderabad: Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde announced on Thursday that the Telangana Bill will be introduced in the Winter Session of Parliament beginning first week of December.
During a brief interaction with newspersons in Delhi, Shinde made it clear that the Group of Ministers that is putting the Bill together will complete its task around November 20. It will then be sent to the Union Cabinet to take forward.
“I am telling you today that the T-Bill will be introduced in the Winter Session, there is no change in that,” Shinde said.
AICC sources said that Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, will discuss the final shape of the bill and then decide on the status of Hyderabad as the joint capital as well as the special package for the Seemandhra region.
The Congress Core Committee will also discuss the Bill after which the home ministry will incorporate any changes and submit the draft bill to the Union Cabinet. The Core Committee will meet on November 22, before the Bill is sent to the Cabinet.
GoM tries legal quick fixes
The Group of Ministers on Telangana held a detailed meeting with Attorney General G. Vahanavati and Law Secretary B.A. Agrawal on Thursday to discuss the contentious Article 371(D), and the status of Hyderabad as the joint capital.
To declare Hyderabad as the joint capital with jurisdiction and powers enjoyed by both Telangana and Seemandhra governments, without making it Union Territory seems to be the main concern of the GoM.
It is reliably learnt that Vahanvati has conveyed to the GoM that Art 371(D) could be amended along with the Telangana Bill by applying the provisions for both the states, and any amendment that is proposed as part of Art 4 (which deals with laws relating to creation or division of states) will face no legal hurdle.
If the Centre decides to do away with 371(D) through a special legislation, it may require a special majority in both Houses of Parliament, but if it is amended as part of the creation of Telangana state and reorganisation of AP State under Art 4, there should not be a problem, the Attorney General seems to have suggested.
However, there is still confusion on the status of Hyderabad as the joint capital. Though Art 258(A) was thought of to bring central power allows the Centre to exert power in certain designated areas of Hyderabad, the Law Secretary and the Attorney General seem to have sought time to work this one out.
The GoM also held consultations with officials of the Railway ministry to create an additional Railway Zone for the Seemandhra region and a Railway Division.
Next: CM’s absence sparks off rumour mill
CM’s absence sparks off rumour mill
Hyderabad: Union I&B minister Manish Tewari informed Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde about the Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy’s inability to be present at the GoM meeting, according to a press release.
Reactions in Congress circles to the speculations about the Chief Minister’s replacement varied with some not being in favour and others brushing it aside as a mere rumour.
The Chief Minister has said on earlier occ-asions that he will step down if Parliament approves the Telangana Bill. He has also said on record that he has conveyed to Congress president Mrs Sonia Gandhi that he will not preside over the bifurcation of the state. He has dropped sufficient hints that if the T Bill is referred to the Assembly by the President, he will speak against the Bill and also ensure that the majority do not approve the draft Bill.
It is for this reason that the Congress high command may want to replace him much before the T Bill reaches the Assembly, to ensure the Bill is approved.
However, should the high command order the Chief Minister to quit, and he doesn’t do so, it will also be a major embarrassment for the party.
Moreover, Kiran Kumar Reddy cannot be dismissed directly, but only through a no-confidence motion in the Assembly. Given the volatile political atmosphere in the state, removing him via a no-confidence motion will be difficult.
Law minister Erasu Pratap Reddy, a close confidant of the Chief Minister says, “Kiran Kumar Reddy cannot be replaced now, nor is he going to be asked to quit. The CLP cannot pass such a resolution like earlier, asking Sonia Gandhi to name a successor etc. We will fight it out.”
Pitani Satyanarayana, a minister close to the Chief Minister said, “The high command may be thinking on those lines, of replacing Kiran Kumar Reddy, but nobody will accept such a thing at this stage. We will resist. What sin has he committed? After all, he is seeking state unity, nothing else.”
Minor irrigation minister T.G. Venkatesh said, “The Congress high command has already committed a major blunder in dividing the State. I don’t think it will make another blunder by replacing Kiran Kumar Reddy.”
