Both AP Houses reject Telangana Bill

Both Houses of the Andhra Pradesh Legislature rejected the AP Reorganisation Bill, 2013 by a controversial voice vote on Thursday.

All eyes will now be on the President and how the Union Government goes about getting Parliamentary consent.

Despite the setback in the State Legislative Assembly and Council, top Congress (I) leaders expressed confidence that they will formulate the Bill with necessary changes, introduce it in the February 5-20 Parliamentary session and get it passed.

The President had only asked for the views of the AP Assembly. There was no voting and the voice vote rejecting the Bill was expected. Under Article 3 of the Constitution,

Parliament can create new States irrespective of the views of the State Legislature, Congress (I) leaders stated.

The Group of Ministers on Telangana is expected to meet before the Parliament session and incorporate some changes before the Bill is tabled.

Dramatic events In a dramatic turn of events that unfolded on Thursday, the Assembly both formally concluded the discussion on the Bill, as mandated by President Pranab Mukherjee, and rejected it by passing a resolution moved by Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, amidst uproarious scenes. In the Council, Seemandhra Minister C Ramachandraiah moved a similar resolution, which was then passed.

Speaker Nadendla Manohar swiftly read out a two-page note and adjourned the House sine die . Only 86 members could express their views. Opposition Leader and Telugu Desam President N Chandrababu Naidu did not get a chance to speak.

About 9,072 amendments were suggested by members and many gave their views in writing.

Each side has claimed victory. Telangana Rashtra Samithi President K Chandrasekhara Rao (KCR) and Telangana ministers have said that it is only a matter of a week or two before the Bill is introduced in Parliament and passed thereof.

“The resolution (passed by the House) has no relevance and sanctity. It is only aimed at confusing people,” K Jana Reddy, a senior Telangana minister, told reporters after the House was adjourned. Addressing a press conference in the afternoon, KCR said there is no cause for concern. “Parliament will clear it by February 15 and the next elections will be held in the separate Telangana State. I even know of the dates on which the Bill will be tabled in the two Houses,” he said.

Seemandhra leader and Finance Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy claimed that the House rejected the Bill unanimously as it failed to take up a division (vote) on the resolution. Delegations of Seemandhra and Telangana leaders are planning to go to Delhi to meet the President to defend their respective interests.

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