Kiran pins hopes on T-bill rejection

CM thinks resolution will deter AP bifurcation

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy on Sunday said the resolution rejecting the AP Reorganisation Bill is like a “Brahmastra” that has the potential to stop the state's bifurcation even after the bill reaches the Union Home Ministry and then the President.

Reddy, who has sought an appointment with the President, believes that he might stall the process by meeting Pranab Mukherjee. “No one should forget that the onus is with the President. He should be satisfied first; only then will the bill will go to Parliament.”

Addressing mediapersons at his camp office in Begumpet, Reddy expressed anguish over senior Congress leaders saying that the resolution is worth trashing, and said, “Voice vote is nothing but unopposed vote. All the important bills, including Lokpal and Food Security Bill, were passed in the Lok Sabha by voice vote. Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand were formed after Parliament passed the bills by voice vote.”

He added that no state was divided without a resolution in the country so far. 

“Andhra Pradesh was formed after the sacrifices of its people, and their aspirations form a part of the resolution. So the state can’t be divided against their wishes. If they are not worried, why did (AICC general secretary) Digvijay (Singh) and (Telangana Rashtra Samithi chief) KCR immediately address the press and say that the resolution had no sanctity?” he said.

Expressing happiness over the floor coordination between parties, he said, “I urge the TDP and the YSRC to continue their cooperation. They should meet the President and urge him not to forward the Bill. I urge the President to seek legal opinion.”

Answering a question on the timing of the voice vote on the resolution, Reddy said, “No matter whether the conclusion of debate was announced first and then the resolution was taken. All state Assemblies that have taken up division bills have passed resolutions in a similar way.”