Tempers run high again during debate

HYDERABAD: Tempers ran high in the state Assembly on Friday when Seemandhra and Telangana members tried to explain their views on the AP Reorganisation Bill, 2013.

While the YSRC members, led by their leader Vijayamma, staged a walkout in protest against the moves to divide the state, the TDP members demanded that the speaker clarify whether voting would take place after the debate.

Speaker Nadendla Manohar said that he had already clarified on the voting issue and said that insisting on voting before debate was not proper. Meanwhile, three members Gandra Venkata Ramana Reddy of Congress, Etela Rajender of TRS and CPI member G Mallesh who participated in the debate explained how Telangana was neglected after its merger with Andhra state.

E RAJENDER (TRS):

After the merger of Hyderabad state with Andhra, Seemandhra leaders violated all the rules and did injustice to Telangana. Telangana movement was not new. Even before the merger in 1956, there was a movement in 1952 for Telangana. Potti Sriramulu sacrificed his life for separation of Andhra province from the Madras state.

Sriramulu did not fight for linguistic states but only wanted separation of Andhra from Madras. Sriramulu also fought for Madras as their capital. Later, Telangana was merged with Andhra.

Thus, formation of Telangana now will not be creation of a new state but just a demerger from Andhra. Bhadrachalam is part of Telangana as Kancharla Gopanna, better known as Bhakta Ramadasu, who built the temple, was a Telangana tahasildar and jailed in Hyderabad by Taneesha.

GUNDA MALLESH (CPI):

Seemandhra people are not against formation of Telangana. Only politicians are against it. ''I have visited Seemandhra areas and explained about the need for separate Telangana. The people in Seemandhra expressed that they are not against T.

Pranahita-Chevella should be granted national project status. The residuary Andhra state should be given Rs 5 lakh crore package. A tribunal with members of both Telangana and residuary Andhra state ministers should be formed to resolve river water-sharing issues.

GANDRA (CONG):

Divsion of the state is as per the Constitution. In violation of Gentlemen's Agreement, the deputy chief minister's post was rarely given to Telangana. Hyderabad is an integral part of Telangana. But all can live together here happily. The demand for separate Telangana came to the fore as the Seemandhra rulers had failed to ensure equal justice.

YS Vijayala kshmi (YSRC):

We are walking out in protest against the move to divide the state.. Another reason is that our demand for moving a Samaikyandhra resolution has been rejected.

The Centre is bifurcating the state by invoking Article 3 of the constitution. Though setting up of a second SRC was suggested by experts, the Centre has turned a deaf ear. We are also taking objection to the bill not having objects and reasons accompanying it. We are opposing all the clauses in the draft bill.