The controversial Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill was rammed through in the Lok Sabha on Friday through a voice vote despite stiff opposition from the TRS, the BJD, the Trinamool Congress, the AIMIM and sections of the Congress amidst slogan shouting and TRS MPs filling the Well.
The Bill that paves the way for the shifting of seven mandals from Telangana to Andhra Pradesh for the Polavaram project was opposed on the grounds that the transfer of land was being done in an unconstitutional manner, violating Articles 3 and 4 of the Constitution which mandate that the two State Assemblies have to be consulted.
Speakers from the TRS, the BJD, the Trinamool and the Congress highlighted the Bill’s unconstitutionality.
Dismissing their objections, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said “[the] interpretation of the provisions of the Constitution is primarily the responsibility of the court of law… the point raised does not relate to regulating the business of the House.”
Her duty, she said, was merely to conduct the proceedings of the House in a proper manner.
