New Delhi: The conflict over the formation of a separate Telangana state yesterday disrupted parliament for the second consecutive day.
The group of ministers formed for the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, meanwhile, held a discussion on various issues. A special cabinet meeting will be held today on the bill for formation of Telangana.
In parliament, the issue reverberated in both houses, forcing their adjournment without transacting any major business. Lok Sabha saw two adjournments as members from Andhra Pradesh raised slogans, the first time shortly after it met at 11 am, and the second and final time after noon.
Three no-confidence motions were also admitted in the lower house by YSR Congress member M Rajamohan Reddy, Congress member Sabbam Hari, and TDP member Modugula Venu Gopala Reddy, all three opposed to bifurcation of the state.
Speaker Meira Kumar, however, said she could not admit the motion in the din. Rajya Sabha saw three adjournments, one after a TDP member came near the chairman’s podium raising slogans to “save Andhra Pradesh”.
After losing its question hour when it was adjourned till noon, the upper house was adjourned till 2pm, and then for the day. No business could be transacted in either of the houses except for the routine tabling of papers.
The group of ministers (GoM) on Telangana discussed demands of ministers from Seemandhra. The demands include making Hyderabad a Union Territory for a limited period and incorporating the Bhadrachalam sub-division with the residuary Andhra Pradesh.
“Before this session of parliament is over, we will bring the Telangana bill to the house,” Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde told reporters after an hour-long meeting of the ministerial panel, which he heads.
The home minister, however, evaded a reply on whether the bill would be passed in this session.
Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is a member of the GoM, told reporters the bill would be taken up by the cabinet today.
“This is the last meeting of the GoM on Telangana. A special cabinet meeting will be called Friday over Telangana,” Azad said.
Meanwhile, leaders both in favour of and against Telangana met various leaders to create pressure on the issue.IANS
