YSR Congress president Jaganmohan Reddy met Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal president Naveen Patnaik here on Sunday and sought support for his campaign against the creation of Telangana by bifurcating Andhra Pradesh.
Article 3 of the Constitution should be amended to prevent division of the States at the whims of those in power in New Delhi, Mr. Reddy told journalists after the 15-minute meeting.
Before a decision was taken to divide a State, a unanimous resolution should have been passed in favour of the plan in the Assembly, he said. At least two-thirds of the members should support the resolution in the Assembly and in Parliament.
Backing Mr. Reddy’s stand, Mr. Patnaik said such a resolution should have been passed in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly. “Division of a State is a political, social, economic and emotional issue. In the case of Telangana, the people of the State [Andhra Pradesh] should have been consulted and consensus evolved… It [creation of States] should not be done for narrow political interests. A sensible dialogue is missing in the whole process.” Mr. Patnaik clarified that Mr. Reddy and he did not discuss the possibility of a third front. “We have a very strong relationship, which will continue,” Mr. Reddy said, thanking Mr. Patnaik for backing his campaign.
