Unfazed by vociferous protests, government on Tuesday moved the controversial Telangana Bill for consideration and passage in the Lok Sabha.
Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde moved the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill 2014 for consideration even though ministers and MPs from Seemandhra region were in the Well opposing bifurcation of the state.
Sixteen members from the region, belonging to Congress, TDP and YSR Congress, were suspended from the House last Thursday till February 20 after unprecedented pandemonium that saw expelled Congress member L. Rajagopal bursting pepper spray causing commotion.
For the first time, CPI(M) members also joined the protest against creation of Telangana. They were carrying placards opposing bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and demanding that the measure should not be adopted without a debate.
Members from Telangana region were also in the Well seeking early creation of the separate state.
The Home Minister moved the Bill for consideration amid uproar and din in the House over various issues.
Members belonging to various parties were also demanding passage of reservation in promotions and SC/ST sub-plan bill.
Speaker Meira Kumar tried to bring order in the House saying she has received notices of no-confidence motion and wanted to ascertain whether these are backed by 50 MPs. As the din continued, she adjourned the House till 12:45 hours.
Earlier,
YSR Congress president Jagan Mohan Reddy has offered support to the BJP if it made an effort to stall the Telangana Bill in Parliament and keep Andhra Pradesh united.
Meanwhile, security in Seemandhra region of Andhra Pradesh was beefed up and forces were put on alert to meet any eventuality on the law and order front.
"We are monitoring the situation... police in districts have already been asked to be on alert... depending upon the situation we will take appropriate action," Additional Director General of Police (law and order) VSK Kaumudi said.
Police forces are already on alert in view of the protests and bandhs in Seemandhra districts over the past few days.
Ever since the Centre took a decision last year to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh to create Telangana, agitational programmes such as bandhs, massive protests and demonstrations were being held in Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions (collectively called Seemandhra) against the move.
On the other hand, Telangana protagonists are preparing for celebrations as they expect the Lok Sabha to give its nod to the bill.
There are indications that Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy would finally bite the bullet and announce his resignation today against the state's division.
In a key bureaucratic reshuffle, two senior IAS officers in the CM office were transferred yesterday. Several ministers close to him have been saying for the last several days that he would quit.
