Pandemonium over AP bifurcation; House adjourned for 30 min

MLAs from Telangana stormed the Speaker's podium as soon as the day's proceedings began

Pro and anti-Telangana slogans by members on either side of the divide pushed Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly into pandemonium leading to its adjournment for 30 minutes this morning.

MLAs from Telangana, including those of ruling Congress, stormed the Speaker's podium as soon as the day's proceedings began and demanded that the draft AP Reorganisation Bill-2013, referred to the Legislature by the President of India last night, be taken up for discussion immediately.

At the same time, legislators from Seemaandhra region too rushed into the Well of the House demanding that a resolution be passed opposing the proposed bifurcation of the state.

Speaker Nadendla Manohar rejected the adjournment motions moved by different parties for and against the bifurcation.

With no scope for order in the House amid the din, the Speaker adjourned the House for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, the Business Advisory Committee of the Assembly is expected to meet in the evening to decide when and how to take up the debate on the draft Bill.

Sources close to the Chief Minister said the Seemaandhra side wants discussion on the draft Bill be taken up in a special session of the Assembly next month since the President gave the House time till January 23 to return the Bill with its views.

Highly placed sources said the President, in a cover letter sent to the state government last night, sought to know the "mood of the House" on the draft Bill.

Accordingly, the Seemaandhra side is now drawing strategy to ensure the "mood" is predominantly against the bifurcation.