A day after chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy sought the support of Seemandhra people for his efforts to stall the T-process, AICC spokesperson Sandeep Dikshit said chief ministers couldn’t stand in the way as Parliament has got absolute authority to divide any state.
Speaking to reporters in Delhi on Monday, the AICC spokesman said the Congress Working Committee had taken the decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh after holding extensive consultations with all the political parties in the state for over two years. Hence, it would not be appropriate for anybody to find fault with the Congress party’s decision to accord statehood to Telangana, he added.
“The issues relating to division of any state can be resolved only by Parliament. If Parliament approves the T-bill, then a new state would be formed,” he said.
Interestingly, AICC state affairs incharge Digvijaya Singh chose not to react to the comments of Kiran Reddy. He, however, asked the Seemandhra Congress leaders to keep their word, which they had given to the AICC leadership that they would abide by the party’s decision.
Singh said there was no need for people in Seemandhra to worry over bifurcation as the Centre was favourably inclined to offer them an attractive financial package.
“I understand the fears and apprehensions of Seemandhra people. I urge every one to cooperate with the Centre’s efforts to address the issues arising out of bifurcation,” he said.
He divulged that he had sought appointment with Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde to get clarity on whether the Centre sends only the T-bill to AP Assembly.
VHR Flays Kiran
Meanwhile, Kiran Reddy’s remarks, made in Srikakulam district, drew flak from many Telangana leaders from both within and outside the Congress.
Rajya Sabha member V Hanumantha Rao said, “By revolting against the AICC leadership, Kiran Reddy is biting the hand that has fed him. It is not appropriate for him to rebel against the party high command which has made him sit in the top post.”
He further said the game was over, but still the chief minister was trying to pose as if he was holding the ball.
“Kiran Reddy has been a good wicketkeeper and I am sure he knew who was going to bat and how before the high command took a decision. He can win over the hearts of the people if he explains what the reality is. But he is trying to hoodwink the people of his region,” Rao said. Another Rajya Sabha member Rapolu Ananda Bhaskar asked the chief minister to realise that he did not have the power to stop division of the state.
“Even article 371(D) will not come in the way of division of AP,” he said.
TRS leader K Keshava Rao said the chief minister’s comments clearly showed that he had conspired to stall the constitutional process launched by the Centre to form the T-state.