Hyderabad: As the January 23 deadline given by the President of India to the Andhra Pradesh Legislature to return the draft Telangana Bill draws close, it is being curiously watched whether those opposed to the bifurcation of the state would seek an extension of time.
The President had given time till January 23 to discuss and return the bill, but speculation is rife that the pro-Seemandhra camp would seek more time to debate it.
AP State Social Welfare Minister Pitani Satyanarayana, who hails from Seemandhra region, indicated on Saturday that more time is likely to be sought to debate the bill.
However, Telangana leaders are opposed to any extension of time, alleging that additional time is being sought only to ensure that the bill is not passed in Parliament before the ensuing general elections.
"Even if additional time is given, we need not worry," Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) leader K Keshav Rao said.
"The AP Chief Minister and others (Seemandhra leaders) have always tried to block the formation of Telangana, but we have marched ahead. Even now, we will cross all hurdles," TRS floor leader in the AP Assembly E Rajender said here on Sunday.
Leaders from the Telangana region believe that the draft Telangana Bill would still be passed in Parliament during next month's session, even if additional time of about one week to ten days is given to the AP Assembly to debate and return the draft bill.
Congress MP L Rajagopal, who along with some other Seemandhra MPs, had moved a no-confidence motion against the UPA government earlier, said they would keep up their efforts during the coming session of Parliament against the proposed bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.
Meanwhile, Telugu Desam Party leaders from Seemandhra have extended their support to the 'Chalo Hyderabad' programme called by the pro-"united" Andhra employees on January 22 against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.
