Heated debate in Andhra assembly over Telangana bill

Repeated disruptions, heated arguments, sharp exchanges and allegations among legislators in Andhra Pradesh assembly Thursday marked the debate on the bill for formation of separate Telangana state.

The house, which resumed debate on the bill after two adjournments and suspension of 15 legislators of YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) witnessed heated exchanges among legislators belonging to ruling Congress, opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS).

Deputy Speaker Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka adjourned the house till Friday after certain remarks by TRS member Harish Rao against TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu evoked strong protest from the main opposition party.

Harish Rao made the remarks after TDP member E. Dayakar Rao alleged that Congress and TRS had colluded to mislead people.

"Is it not correct that even use of word Telangana in assembly was banned by Mr Chandrababu Naidu when he was the chief minister," asked the TRS leader.

Earlier, TDP legislator P. Raghunath Reddy blamed Congress president Sonia Gandhi for the bifurcation, saying she was creating Telangana state to make her son Rahul Gandhi the prime minister.

His remark plunged the house into pandemonium as ruling party members took strong exception and demanded that the same be expunged from the record.

The deputy speaker adjourned the house for 10 minutes.

When the house re-assembled, Panchayat Raj Minister K.Jana Reddy reminded the TDP member that TDP chief Naidu had also written a letter to the central government supporting the demand for Telangana state and similarly Gandhi and Congress had to take a decision in tune with the aspirations of Telangana people.

Earlier, resuming the debate on Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill 2013, Tourism Minister Vatti Vasant Kumar termed the process of bifurcation as "undemocratic". Strongly opposing the bill, he said the division would push back Seemandhra (Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra) by 50 years.

The minister pointed out that industrialists from Seemandhra made 90 percent investments in Hyderabad as it is the state capital.

Congress legislator G. Venkatramna Reddy, who is also the government chief whip and hails from Telangana, said it was a historic day in democracy.

He said people of Telangana fought for their identity in a democratic manner and respecting their sentiments, the central government agreed to carve out Telangana state.

Debate on the bill also began in the legislative council and it was also marred by repeated disruptions.

The legislature has to send back the bill with its opinion to President Pranab Mukherjee by Jan 23.