KCR seeks smooth passage of T-Bill in RS

The Bill was to be taken up in RS on Wednesday but it was not done as talks between BJP leaders and PM on amendments did not conclude

Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) president K. Chandrasekhar Rao spoke to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Parliament on Wednesday and requested the former to ensure the smooth passage of the A.P. Reorganisation Bill in Rajya Sabha.

The Bill was expected to be taken up in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday but it was not done as talks between BJP leaders and the Prime Minister, on the amendments being proposed by them on the concerns of Seemandhra people, did not conclude till the House was adjourned for the day.

Law and order

A senior leader of TRS told The Hindu over phone from Delhi that Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao met the Prime Minister in Parliament and discussed with him the amendments mooted by BJP. The BJP was in favour of taking up an amendment to the Constitution for investing the common capital’s law and order powers in the Governor, without which it would be unconstitutional, the TRS leader said. Further, the BJP was also insisting upon making a provision for a special package to Seemandhra in the Bill itself. Since AICC president Sonia Gandhi is learnt to have given her nod for the demand, it should not pose any problem in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, the TRS leader felt.

Asked if the amendments were carried in the Rajya Sabha and the Bill sent back to Lok Sabha for adopting the same changes, the TRS leader, who is close to Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao, said even that would not pose any problem as the Centre was in favour of extending the Parliament session in such an event.

Merger with Congress

On the talk of the TRS’ merger with the Congress, he said they would take it up only after the Bill was passed in Parliament as their leadership had made it amply clear that the issue would come up only after passage of the Bill in both Houses and the President’s assent to it.