Hyderabad: Union Minister for Science and Technology S Jaipal Reddy on Saturday said that Legislative Assembly does not need to pass a resolution to bifurcate a state.
"I am not giving a political clarification, but only a Constitutional clarification... As per the Constitution, no resolution is required. Only the relevant Bill needs to be sent to the state Assembly," he told reporters here.
Jaipal recalled that resolution was "a tradition" introduced by the erstwhile NDA government when it divided three states.
"As per the Constitution, the Bill will certainly be referred to the state Assembly," he added.
Asked if President`s rule could be imposed in Andhra Pradesh to enable a smooth division in view of the threat by Seemaandhra legislators to "defeat" any resolution in the Assembly, he replied, "I have no knowledge whatsoever about it, nor am I wishing it. No such thing has come to my notice."
Asked whether he would become the first Chief Minister of the (new) Telangana state, he retorted, "Don`t you have anything else to ask. Like there is a need to improve the standards of politics, there is a need to improve the standards of media as well."
Asked about the demand from Seemaandhra leaders and the people that Centre reverse the decision on Telangana as in the case of the ordinance on convicted lawmakers, the Union Minister said it was like "comparing apples with oranges".
On the allegation that Congress did not follow democratic norms on the bifurcation by overruling the majority will, he said: "Which majority will should we consider? If we talk of things like majority and its definition, it will be an unending Ramayana."
Talking about the allegations that consideration of political gains for Congress weighed more when it took the decision on bifurcation, Jaipal maintained that he was here only to "make an appeal to the Seemaandhra people and not talk about Congress politics".
As to what fate would befall the Congress in 2014, which rode to power at the Centre mainly because of the highest number of MPs from AP in 2004 and 2009, given the current political scenario in the state, he said: "I will not comment on the 2014 elections. I will also not make any forecast."
Asked if he would remain in national politics or return to the state in 2014, after creation of Telangana, Jaipal said: "I have been in Janata Party for over 22 years. That was a one-man party. So, I don`t think about my personal issues beyond a point."
On the possible merger of Telangana Rashtra Samiti with Congress, he said the high command would take a call on it.
PTI
