AP CM`s resolution leaves Telangana ministers fuming

Hyderabad: The Congress government in Andhra Pradesh was on Monday vertically split over Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy`s bid to move a resolution to return the bifurcation bill, with Telangana ministers demanding that he quit as they no longer recognised him as leader of the House.

Deputy Chief Minister C Damodara Rajanarasimha led the banner of revolt demanding that Kiran step down, while some other ministers from the region opposed the CM`s move in the Assembly itself. "We are not recognising Kiran as Leader of the House. He has insulted ministers from Telangana... He should resign forthwith," the Deputy CM demanded, alleging that ministers were not consulted. Information Technology Minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah wrote to the Governor taking objection to Kiran`s move. However, an apparently unfazed Chief Minister and ministers from Seemaandhra were closeted in a meeting, and decided to "go ahead" with their objective of defeating the bill, referred to the Assembly by the President seeking its view. They also decided to seek more time for returning the bill, citing the disruption of the House proceedings by Telangana legislators including the respective ministers. The President had given time till January 23 to the Assembly, and later extended it to up to January 30. In the Assembly today, Kiran`s move led to two adjournments, but the pandemonium ultimately forced Speaker Nadendla Manohar to adjourn the house for the day without any business being transacted. As the MLAs from Telangana demanded that Kiran withdraw the notice for moving the resolution, the ministers from the region shouted "CM down down". Speaker had to note that it was not proper for ministers to rush into the well of the house. While Seemandhra MLAs demanded that the resolution be taken up. The Chief Minister, on Saturday, had said the Bill violated not only Parliamentary procedures but also the Constitution. He then gave a notice to the Speaker seeking to move a resolution for returning the Bill.