Telangana leaders urge governor not to prorogue assembly

Andhra Pradesh ministers and Congress leaders from Telangana Tuesday urged Governor E.S.L. Narasimham not to prorogue the state assembly so that it can be convened at short notice for taking up the draft bill for formation of Telangana state.

The leaders led by Panchayati Raj Minister K. Jana Reddy called on the governor at Raj Bhavan and submitted a memorandum, urging him not to prorogue the assembly.

The delegation included Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha and senior ministers like J.Geeta Reddy and Ponnala Lakshmaiah.

Their move came after Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy sought prorogation of the state legislature.

While the chief minister's office clarified that this was sought so that government can issue ordinances, pro-Telangana groups however alleged that the chief minister was trying to delay tabling of Telangana bill.

Jana Reddy told reporters after meeting that they demanded an assembly session as soon as the central government sends the draft Telangana bill to the house for its opinion.

The state assembly adjourned sine die on June 21 this year and as per the rules it can meet again within six months, that is before Dec 20. But after proroguing the house, it would take another 10 days to issue a fresh notification to convene the assembly.

The chief minister allegedly pressurizing Speaker N. Manohar to prorogue the assembly. Telangana leaders alleged that he is trying to delay tabling of bill in the assembly so that it doesn't come up during winter session of parliament.

The union law ministry is reportedly giving final touches to the draft bill. It is likely to be given a final shape after the Group of Ministers (GoM) submits its report to the union cabinet.

President Pranab Mukherjee is likely to send the draft bill to Andhra Pradesh assembly for its opinion in the next few days.