Debate on AP Reorganisation Bill begins amid protests

YSR Congress Party members, however, continued with their protests in the House leading to adjournment of the session for the day

The state government finally made an attempt to start the debate in the legislative Assembly on Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2013 on Wednesday with a minister from Seemandhra making a brief statement against the proposed bifurcation.

The government was also able to convince the members of the main Opposition party, Telugu Desam Party, to end the protests on the floor of the House after promising to provide the relevant information regarding the state bifurcation.

The change in TDP’s approach to the debate effectively singled out the YSR Congress (YSRC) Party members, who continued with their protests in the House leading to adjournment of the session for the day.

In a slightly modified stand, YSRC legislature party leader YS Vijayalakshmi  today requested the Speaker to either allow them to move a resolution seeking status quo or straight away allow voting on the Bill. They would continue to block the proceedings of the House until the chair accepted one of these suggestions, she said in a letter addressed to the Speaker.

Meanwhile, the TDP also joined the Congress in attacking the YSRC for opposing the debate, stating they did not want discussion on the Bill as they were secretly backing the bifurcation move.