Suspense over tabling of T-Bill, leaders uncertain

Expelled Cong MP threatens immolation over bifurcation

With every passing day, leaders from Andhra Pradesh, especially Telangana, are facing anxious moments over bifurcation of the state.

The suspense over tabling of the Telangana Bill in the Lok Sabha continues. The UPA is most likely to present the bill in the Lower House after discussing and passing a vote-on-account on Railways on Thursday. The House goes into recess for the next three days, with Friday being a holiday. The vote-on-account on general budget will be introduced on Monday and passed the following day, sources said.

The Parliament session will end on February 21. The government has a three-day window, from February 19 to 21, to get the Telangana Bill passed.

During a meeting over lunch with the BJP top brass on Wednesday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did not state whether the Centre intended to introduce the bill in the House. The Union Home Ministry might introduce it in the Lower House on Thursday and have a discussion later, a senior BJP leader said.

Senior Lok Sabha secretariat officials said they did not receive any intimation on introducing the bill till Wednesday evening. The business agenda for Thursday’s session had a debate on the railway budget and the secretariat had received cut motions from various parties, sources said.

Amid fears that Seemandhra MPs might go any extent to stop both Houses from clearing the Telangana Bill, the parliamentary security is on its toes. They have carried out a drill to face any eventuality, with rumours about Seemandhra leaders attempting self-immolation doing rounds.

A senior Lok Sabha officer said it is rumoured that Sabbam Hari, who was expelled from the Congress, has threatened to immolate himself in the House. Another MP might jump from the Parliament building rooftop.

The watch and ward staff and paramilitary forces have equipped themselves with fire extinguishers and blankets. Fire engines have been put on standby, said sources. Doctors have also been put on an alert.

However, the Congress seemed disinclined to take action against any minister for their action in the Lok Sabha. A senior leader said he would leave it to the judgment of the ministers concerned on the steps they should take after their behaviour in the House.