The YSR Congress has requested President Pranab Mukherjee to intervene and safeguard democracy as the Central Government was going ahead with the bifurcation of the State “unilaterally” against the federal spirit.
A delegation of the YSR Congress led by party president Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy called on the President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday and urged him to refer the issue for judicial review in the interests of the Telugu people and sovereignty of the country. The President was requested to exercise powers under Article 143 in this direction and seek the advice of the Supreme Court.
“The Congress seems to be in a tearing hurry to divide Andhra Pradesh for political reasons unmindful of the consequences and giving scant respect to the sentiments of the multitude of local people that is against bifurcation,” Mr. Jagan said.
In a memorandum submitted to Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, he explained that anti-incumbency shot skyward and the writing was on the wall for the Congress and it was going to lose badly in elections. The ruling party had, therefore, whipped up regional passions and brought things to this situation to divert the attention of the people from its failures and wing few seats and votes at least in one region.
He said the YSR Congress was making every effort to mobilise support from national parties to reject the Bill as and when it was tabled in the Parliament. The Bill reflected the “megalomaniac nature” of the Congress and was not in the true spirit of the federal structure. “It is the dichotomy, arrogance and authoritarianism of the ruling party that is being questioned and challenged,” he said. The support of the political parties for united Andhra Pradesh was sought as it would be an eye opener to the Congress preventing it from indulging in any such “misadventures” in future. He raised several questions on whether the Centre could divide the State without amending Articles 371 (D & E) under Article 368.
The YSRC president called on Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav later in the day requesting him to oppose the Bill on bifurcation of the State. Mr. Yadav assured Mr. Jagan that his party had never supported separate Telangana issue and would vote accordingly when the issue came up in the Parliament.
