Hyderabad: A large part of the debate on the draft Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2013 in the state Assembly on Monday centered around the erstwhile Nizam, ruler of Hyderabad state, with Seemandhra members criticising him and those from Telangana showering praise.
The issue saw a war of words between Telugu Desam, Telangana Rashtra Samiti, Congress and Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen legislators.
TRS floor leader Etela Rajender said Nizam was a great ruler, though there was some oppression during his tenure.
"Nizam built the famous Arts College in Hyderabad and several other institutions. It's true he also carried out some oppression against people of the region," Rajender pointed out.
MIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi said it was only the Nizam who developed Hyderabad and the erstwhile Hyderabad state.
"No one else can claim to have developed Hyderabad," he said, taking a dig at TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu who had been claiming to have developed Hyderabad into a world-class city during his tenure as Chief Minister between 1995 and 2004.
"We are proud of Nizam and the Nizam's rule," Akbaruddin said.
Hyderabad was a well-developed city for centuries and it welcomed people not only from coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema but also all other parts of the country.
"We will continue to welcome people from across the country even after the state is divided," Akbaruddin said.
Earlier in the day, TDP legislator Payyavula Kesav resumed the debate on the draft Bill and dug out 'historic facts' to press a case for a united state.
"The Nizam of Hyderabad mortgaged coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema districts to the British to raise a loan of Rs 9 lakh. He made all his fortune by fleecing people of Seemandhra," Kesav pointed out.
The Nizam also unleashed a reign of oppression against the people, particularly in Telangana, who waged a war against the brutality, Kesav recalled.
"All along, it was a struggle (by Telangana people) against the Nizam and not against Seemandhra as being projected. But some leaders of Telangana are signing paeans of the Nizam," Kesav lamented. This remark drew an angry protest from the TRS members.
Kesav's another remark, that an 'Italian Gandhi' (an oblique reference to Sonia Gandhi) was seeking to split Andhra Pradesh, while the 'Indian Gandhi' (a reference to Indira Gandhi) vehemently opposed the bifurcation, led to an angry rebuttal from Legislative Affairs Minister S Sailajanath.
The minister took strong exception to Kesav's reference to Sonia Gandhi and blamed the TDP for agreeing to the state's bifurcation.
Sailajanath also found fault with the TRS for hailing Nizam's rule.
Intervening, MIM leader Akbaruddin wondered what Nizam had to do with the state's bifurcation now. He said Nizam was a true secular ruler and a patriot.
"During India's war with China in 1962, the Nizam donated two truck loads of gold coins to the Central government. He also made liberal donations to institutions like Benares Hindu University and many temples, Akbaruddin noted.
Akbar's comments drew sharp reaction from Congress leaders from Seemandhra, after which the MIM members rushed into the Well of the House in protest.
Amidst the din, Deputy Speaker Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, who was in the Chair, adjourned the House till tomorrow.
Earlier in the day, the House saw an adjournment for half- an-hour as YSR Congress members trooped into the Well demanding voting on the draft Bill.
They staged a walk out after the House re-assembled, after which the debate continued.
