Reddy to Float Own Party

STATE\\ Unfazed by protests, the Andhra Pradesh government in February moved the controversial Telangana Bill for consideration and passage in the Lok Sabha. Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde moved the AP Reorganisation Bill-2014 for consideration even while ministers and MPs from Seemandhra region were in the Well opposing bifurcation of the state.

Sixteen members from the region—from Congress, TDP and YSR Congress—were suspended from the House till February 20, 2014, after unprecedented pandemonium in which Congress member L. Rajagopal was expelled for bursting pepper spray.

For the first time, CPI(M) members also joined the protest against the bifurcation.

Members from Telangana region were also in the Well seeking early creation of the state. The Home Minister moved the Bill amid uproar. Members also demanded the passage of SC and ST Sub-plan Bill. Speaker Meira Kumar tried to bring order in the House by stating that she had received notices of no-confidence motion and wanted to ascertain whether these were backed by 50 MPs. As the din continued, she adjourned the House. As the proceedings in the House resumed, there was uproar again which forced her to adjourn the Loka Sabha again.

Taking the bow after a fight against the state bifurcation, Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy resigned once Parliament took up the debate on the AP Reorganisation Bill. This development will probably pave the way for imposition of President’s Rule in AP.

An indication that Reddy had made up his mind to quit came after it became clear that BJP could support the Bill in Parliament.

“There is no way he will continue in office after the debate commences in the Parliament,” a close aide of the CM disclosed Sources in the PCC maintain that the Congress high command is not in a position to convene the Congress Legislature Party meeting given the regional polarisation among the Telangana and Seemandhra legislators.

“In such a chaotic situation, it will not be proper to impose a CM on the troubled state. Electing the new CLP leader will be a Herculean task,” it was pointed out.

The day also marked sharp division among the Seemandhra Congress leaders with Reddy’s detractors holding parleys at the residence of PCC chief Botcha Satyanarayana. It is alleged that they blamed him for the present crisis and failing to stall the bifurcation process. A group of Chief Minister’s loyalists, too, met him at the Camp office to review the situation.

In Delhi, the Seemandhra Union Ministers and MPs met AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi with their demands. Earlier, they met BJP leader L.K. Advani and appealed that the amendments they suggested should be included in the Bill.