The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill is not expected to be introduced in Parliament before Wednesday as UPA’s parliamentary managers are still talking to Congress leaders from Seemandhra, who are opposed to the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, and the BJP, which is yet to spell out its stand.
The former BJP president, M. Venkaiah Naidu, was quoted as saying in Nellore that the party would take a view on the Bill after “a detailed study.” The BJP has been insisting that while supporting the creation of Telangana, the party would also insist on “justice to Seemandhra.”
Without the support of the BJP, the UPA cannot get the Bill approved, particularly in the Rajya Sabha, as regional parties such as the Trinamool Congress and the Samajwadi Party are opposed to creation of smaller States.
The Congress, facing a revolt by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, is finding it difficult to convince the Opposition, which has been taunting it for failing to get its house in order.
The Congress’s general secretary in-charge of Andhra Pradesh, Digvijaya Singh, told a television news channel that those opposing the Bill on Telangana should take another look at it, with all the amendments.
The Union Cabinet cleared the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill at a special session on Friday with 32 amendments, which will be moved by the government when it is taken up for consideration in Parliament.
With the residual part of the winter session — the last one of the 15th Lok Sabha — ending on February 21, the government is keen to get the Bill passed.
