JOIN USAfter five working days that witnessed pandemonium and confusion, AP Assembly finally took up the debate on draft AP Reorganization Bill-2013 on Wednesday.
State Tourism, Telugu Language and Culture Minister Vatti Vasanth Kumar kicked off the discussion by speaking against bifurcation.
Vatti said he opposed the bill as it is against the wishes of the Seemandhra people and insisted that it is against democratic values and is in violation of the Indian Constitution.
Recording his pleasure over the commencement of the debate, TRS floor leader Etela Rajender said Vatti Vasanth Kumar cannot oppose the bill as a minister in the government and having spoken against it, he should resign his position.
The debate started in the Assembly after some backroom efforts by ministers and with an announcement in both the Houses. Before the debate could start, State Finance minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy told the warring legislators “Let us debate the pros and cons of the bill in detail, taking sufficient time.”
Loksatta MLA Jayaprakash Narayan agreed by saying the Assembly is the only forum to pinpoint flaws in the bill.
The Legislative Council is expected to start the debate on Thursday. Speaking to media at his camp office late evening, Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy wanted TDP and YSRC leaders to join the debate.
Kiran said: “we have a responsibility to convey our opinion and that of the people on the Bill to the Centre.”