Andhra CM, ministers, MLAs to meet President on AP Bill issue

The Centre is firm on tabling the Telangana Bill in the Parliament session beginning Feb 5

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, his Cabinet colleagues and Congress MLAs from coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions will meet President Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi next week to request him not to recommend the AP Reorganisation Bill to Parliament.

 

"We have sought the President's appointment either for February 4 or 5. We will request him not to recommend the AP Reorganisation Bill to Parliament as it has been rejected by the state Legislature," state Endowments Minister C Ramachandraiah said here today.

 

The Centre is firm on tabling the Telangana Bill in the Parliament session beginning February 5.

 

The Chief Minister met some ministers, MLCs and MLAs at his Camp Office this afternoon and discussed the future course of action to stop the proposed bifurcation of the state.

 

The state legislature on January 30 rejected the AP Reorganisation Bill, referred to it by the President for its views, and requested him not to recommend it for introduction in Parliament.

 

"We have decided to request other parties also to join us for meeting the President. We are also exploring all legal options to stall the Bill (that provides for creation of a new state of Telangana). We will take legal recourse based on the President's decision," Ramachandraiah told reporters.

 

Reacting to reports in a section of the media that the Chief Minister would sit on a 'deeksha' (protest programme) in New Delhi to apply pressure on the Centre to stop the bifurcation process, the minister said no decision has been taken yet.

 

"It's only a proposal that is being considered," he said.

 

Sources said the Chief Minister is expected to lead his Cabinet colleagues and legislators from Seemandhra in a march from AP Bhavan to Rashtrapati Bhavan to meet the President.