Andhra Pradesh CM Kiran Kumar Reddy has threatened to quit politics if the Telangana bill is introduced in Parliament in its present form even as the Centre is determined to carve out the new state during the resumed winter session.
Government sources said the Group of Ministers (GoM) set up to look into the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh could meet on February 4 to fine-tune the proposed bill to split the state ahead of its introduction in Parliament.
Reddy, who is troubling his party leadership with his united Andhra stand, has so far maintained that it would be difficult for him to choose between his party and the people of the state “if the situation comes to such a point.”
But on Wednesday, the penultimate day for the state assembly to send back the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill 2013 to the Centre with its views, Reddy made it clear where his allegiance would be in event of the state’s bifurcation.
The CM, who had written to President Pranab Mukherjee again seeking further extension of time, had also moved a notice for a resolution to be taken up in the house to send the bill back to the Centre.
{{/usCountry}}The CM, who had written to President Pranab Mukherjee again seeking further extension of time, had also moved a notice for a resolution to be taken up in the house to send the bill back to the Centre.
{{/usCountry}}“I challenge them (the UPA government) to place the bill in its present form in Parliament (and if it gets through) I’ll keep away from politics,” Reddy, it is understood, told some reporters in the assembly lobbies.
Meanwhile, Seemandhra legislators and ministers have submitted statements to the Speaker stating their opposition to the bill. A vote on the bill could be taken up on Thursday.