AP CM Kiran's resolution leaves Telangana ministers fuming; Centre not amused
Hyderabad: The Congress government in Andhra Pradesh was on Monday vertically split over Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy's bid to move a resolution to return the bifurcation bill, with Telangana ministers demanding that he quit as they no longer recognised him as leader of the House.
Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha led the banner of revolt demanding that Kiran step down, while some other ministers from the region opposed the CM's move in the Assembly itself.
"We are not recognising Kiran as Leader of the House. He has insulted ministers from Telangana... He should resign forthwith," the Deputy CM demanded, alleging that ministers were not consulted.
Read here: Kiran unlikely to face disciplinary action for notice
Information Technology Minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah wrote to the Governor taking objection to Kiran's move. However, an apparently unfazed Chief Minister and ministers from Seemaandhra were closeted in a meeting, and decided to 'go ahead' with their objective of defeating the bill, referred to the Assembly by the President seeking its view.
They also decided to seek more time for returning the bill, citing the disruption of the House proceedings by Telangana legislators including the respective ministers. The President had given time till January 23 to the Assembly, and later extended it to up to January 30.
In the Assembly on Monday, Kiran's move led to two adjournments, but the pandemonium ultimately forced Speaker Nadendla Manohar to adjourn the house for the day without any business being transacted.
As the MLAs from Telangana demanded that Kiran withdraw the notice for moving the resolution, the ministers from the region shouted 'CM down down'.
Speaker had to note that it was not proper for ministers to rush into the well of the house. While Seemandhra MLAs demanded that the resolution be taken up. The Chief Minister, on Saturday, had said the Bill violated not only Parliamentary procedures but also the Constitution. He then gave a notice to the Speaker seeking to move a resolution for returning the Bill.
Next: Centre not amused with Kiran's move against Telangana bill
Centre not amused with Kiran's move against Telangana bill
New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy's effort to move a resolution in the state Assembly to return the Telangana bifurcation bill has not gone down well with the Centre.
A senior Minister, who is a member of the Group of Ministers (GoM) which finalised the Telangana draft bill, on Monday asserted that the UPA Government has decided to form Telangana and a 'complete bill' will be presented in Parliament's Budget Session 'addressing all issues and concerns'.
"He (Kiran) was not sound enough on the Constitution," the Minister, who did not want to be named, said when asked about the Chief Minister's allegation that the Bill violated not only Parliamentary procedures but also the Constitution.
He said that the Centre has referred the Telangana Bill to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly seeking its opinion and its acceptance is not mandatory as the Constitution clearly states that the issue of formation of a new state is purely with the Centre.
"States cannot interfere in the subject," the minister, who is also a key Congress leader, said. He quoted earlier instances in which the Supreme Court has clearly said that subject was with the Union Government.
Meanwhile, sources said the GoM constituted to carve out Telangana would meet once again after January 30 to undertake a final exercise on the matter.
