Telangana: Kiran Kumar Reddy moves SC against bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh

New Delhi: Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy moved to Supreme Court on Thursday against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

Reddy had resigned as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and quit Congress to protest Centre's decision to carve out separate state of Telangana, giving jitters to the ruling party in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema.

The 53-year-old leader, who was widely speculated to form a new party, has dropped the idea.

A bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam, before whom the matter was mentioned, agreed to list his plea along with other petitions which will be taken up tomorrow for hearing.

A batch of petitions is listed for hearing on Friday against the bifurcation of the State. The apex court had earlier on February 7 and 17 respectively refused to entertain petitions challenging the division of Andhra Pradesh on the ground that they were "premature" as the Bill was not cleared by Parliament at that time.

Parliament gave its approval on February 20 for the creation of Telangana by bifurcating Andhra Pradesh. The court had on February 7 refused to stay the tabling of Telangana Bill and on February 17, it had dismissed two petitions challenging the division of Andhra Pradesh.

The apex court had said it cannot take a different stand and different view from what it had taken on February 7 while terming the plea against Telangana as "premature". The court had declined to accept the contention that it can now go into the issue of Telangana as the Bill was before Parliament.

"Parliament is seized of the Bill. This is not a time for court to look into it. We understand your (petitioners) point that it is introduced," the bench had said, adding that the plea is "premature" for it to be entertained.

However, it had clarified that the averment made in the writ petitions are open to be entertained at an appropriate stage. The Home Ministry has said that the Foundation Day of the new state will be June 2 when Telangana will come into existence and start functioning as a separate state.

The decision to break up the state was made ahead of elections due in April. Critics say the Congress party, which proposed the bill and leads a coalition government, is seeking to shore up its political fortunes after dragging its feet over an issue that has lasted four decades.

Supporters say Telangana's economic development has been neglected in favour of the richer and more powerful coastal region and that a new state is the only solution.

Apart from the emotional reasons for opposing the division of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad was also a bone of contention as it fell in the proposed new state carved out of the western part. India's sixth largest city, it is also one of its most prosperous and a big generator of revenue.

TRS has been fighting for a separate state of Telangana would likely merge with Congress in the new entity. Congress may stand to benefit as it could gain parliamentary seats in Telangana in a show of gratitude for statehood.

The new state would account for 17 seats in parliament.