Hyderabad: Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy delivered his much-anticipated speech in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday in support of a united AP. He categorically stated that he was totally oppo-sed to the bifurcation of the state even though the Central leadership of his party was in favour of it.
Contrary to expectations, his speech lacked fire and was confined to history and statistics. He is expected to be more aggressive on Thursday, when he will continue his speech.
In his two-hour speech, the CM recalled that right from 1760, Telugus have been united and must re-main so in future. He bla-sted Telangana leaders for misleading people with “distorted facts” about exploitation by Seeman-dhra leaders, and with regard to industrialisation, employment, education and other sectors. He said the state will lose its clout at the national level if it is bifurcated.
“It’s unfortunate that today I have to speak as Chief Minister on the floor of the Assembly on the Telangana Bill. I became Chief Minister with the blessings of the Congress and Sonia Gandhi. Though my party took the decision in favour of bifurcation of the state, I am totally opposed to it as it will cause immense harm to both the regions in general and Telugu people in particular,” he said.
Next: Suspenseful day for Kiran camp
Suspenseful day for Kiran camp
Ch V.M. Krishna Rao
Hyderabad: The Chief Minister’s camp waited anxiously on Wednesday for the Presidential communique extending the 42-day deadline for the Telangana Bill debate, which ends on January 23.
However, with no word coming from Rashtrapati Bhavan, it was decided that Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy would begin his marathon address on the Bill.
In a deviation from routine, Kiran Kumar Reddy chose to address the Assembly before lea-der of the Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu, and Deputy Chief Minister Da-modar Raja Narasimha.
If there is no extension of the deadline, which expires at Thursday midnight, this would have been the last opportunity for the Chief Minister to speak in the House.
It is learnt that there were indications that the President may communicate his decision on Thursday, the last day of the debate. However, a key source in the Union home ministry said there were no orders on the file relating to extension of deadline.
FM stresses need to end debate today
Hyderabad: During the evening session of the Assembly on Wednesday, finance minister Anam Ramanara-yana Reddy appealed to agitating members from Telangana not to disrupt Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy’s speech as the deadline would end by Thursday midnight.
He said that apart from the Chief Minister, the speeches of the leader of Opposition and other members who have given their names will have to be completed within the next 24 hours.
