TDP MPs protesting against Telangana during ongoing Parliaments winter session.
The scenes inside the Andhra Pradesh assembly this morning even before the Speaker took his chair perhaps reflected the larger scenario across the state. Telangana and Seemandhra MLAs, both from the ruling party and the Opposition, crowded the well of the House shouting slogans for the two regions forcing repeated adjournments.
Just before that, the Speaker announced that he was rejecting the notice issued by YSR Congress MLAs for a special resolution on keeping the state united. Congress and TDP legislators from Seemandhra said they were also issuing similar notices.
Yesterday evening, a special flight carrying Joint Secretary S Suresh Kumar from the Union Home Ministry brought bundles of copies of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill and hand-delivered it to the chief secretary.
Only after the Speaker announces the Bill will copies be given to the MLAs.
The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill is expected to go the Governor through the Chief Minister and then come to the assembly Speaker. The Business Advisory Committee will have to meet again to decide when it should be taken up.
The Business Advisory Committee had, on Wednesday, decided that the winter session that began on Thursday will conclude in one week. The session may be extended or a special session could be called as the assembly has been given six weeks by the President to return the Bill.
Pro-Telangana leaders say such a Bill should be taken up on priority, setting aside regular business.
Seemandhra leaders point out that since there can be no voting on the draft Bill sent by the President, those opposed to it would like a separate resolution to be taken up and voted upon to highlight the numerical strength of those who want the state to remain united.
YSR Congress MLA Srikanth Reddy says their demand is to have a vote in the House on whether the majority wants a bifurcated or unified state. "Let us send it to the President. Let him decide."
Pro-Telangana leaders say such attempt to scuttle the formation of Telangana will prove futile.
"Even if the chief minister wants to bring a resolution, he alone cannot decide. The entire cabinet has to approve. Only then can the resolution be brought. There are Telangana ministers also in the cabinet and they will never agree," says TRS leader Harish Rao.
Those critical of Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, but pressing for a united state say, he is acting as a 'covert' for his party high command. "He is doing what they want him to do while claiming to be against bifurcation," one leader said.
There are 119 MLAs from Telangana and 175 from Seemandhra in the Andhra Pradesh assembly and the numerical strength of those opposing the Bill is likely to be more. A vote against Telangana on the floor of the House will be an embarrassment to both the Centre and the President.