Naidu refuses to accept Telangana Bill

Hyderabad, Jan 25 : Leader of the Opposition in Assembly N Chandrababu Naidu refused to buy the contention of Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy that Andhra Pradesh State Reorganisation Bill 2013 was tabled in the House without his active consent.

“If the Bill was unconstitutional and violative of rules, then why you did not returned it immediately,” Naidu asked the Chief Minister while participating in the debate on the Bill in the State Legislative Assembly on Saturday. He asked the Chief Minister to clarify on who had sent the statistics and other relevant information to the Centre for drafting the Bill. He said that if that information was sent without the Chief Minister’s notice, then what action he took against the officials.

Responding to these remarks, the Chief Minister said that he had asked the officials to furnish the information sought by the Centre, because it was an official matter. “Furnishing the information sought by the Centre was the duty of the State government”, he said. However, he said that opposing the Bill was his political stance.

Continuing his speech, Naidu said that the Centre, President, Prime Minister and Parliament enjoy special powers granted by the Constitution. But at the same time, they also have some limitations and all have to work under the constitution. He said that he would not accept the Bill as it was unconstitutional and violated procedures, even though it was sent by the President of the Nation. He said that Assembly has a right to send back the Bill which has mistakes and against the Constitution.

Naidu made it clear that that the TDP would not follow the dictation of the Centre with regard to the Telangana Bill. He found fault with the Chief Minister for finding mistakes in the Bill 23 days after it was sent to the Assembly. Further, he said that it was not the Speaker, but the Chief Minister who approached the Centre seeking extension of time to debate the Bill. He also accused Kiran Kumar Reddy of merely acting as an agent between the Centre and people with regard to Telangana Bill.

The TDP chief also condemned the criticism against him by the Congress and YSRCP and said he would give reply in detail on Monday. He also alleged that the Assembly was not functioning as per the protocol.  INN

Golkonda Gundagardi – 21st January 2014