T leaders vow to veto Kiran's resolution

HYDERABAD: The debate on the AP Reorganisation Bill-2013 is expected to end Thursday, the deadline set by the President, amid 'violent' protests. As Speaker N Manohar is likely to put the resolution, proposed by Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy rejecting the bill, to vote, MLAs on either side of the divide are bracing for a final showdown. Sources said in case of utter chaos, the Speaker may call for a voice vote.

Indicating what is in store, Deputy Chief Minister C Damodara Rajanarasimha warned Kiran that any move to introduce the resolution would be vehemently opposed. Rajanarsimha, who is leading the Telangana Congress camp, made it clear they would not let him move the resolution.

Ministers from Telangana met at the chambers of Rajanarasimha and Panchayat Raj Minister K Jana Reddy and formulated floor strategy to checkmate Kiran. The TRS, CPI, BJP and TDP's Telangana members also vowed to frustrate Kiran's move.

TDP Telangana MLA E Dayakar Rao and BJP member Nagam Janardhan Reddy said as much soon after the Assembly was adjourned. The TDP's Telangana members staged a dharna in front of the Speaker's chambers demanding that he reject the CM's notice.

Interestingly, their Seemandhra colleagues also staged a similar sit-in, demanding that the Speaker put the resolution to vote. They were joined by the YSRC MLAs and their protest continued till late in the night.

Given the rising tempers, Seemandhra Congress leaders fear that the last day of the session could turn violent. Some Seemandhra ministers such as TG Venkatesh called on the Speaker and asked him to make elaborate security arrangements both inside and outside the Assembly premises to avoid any untoward incidents.

However, allaying their fears, DCP Central Zone VB Kamalasan Reddy said, 'We are making tight security arrangements inside and outside the Assembly to ensure that everything passes off peacefully.'

Kiran and his Cabinet colleagues from Seemandhra, barring Dokka Manikya Vara Prasada Rao and P Bala Raju, submitted affidavits to the Speaker stating their opposition to bifurcation of the State.

Several Congress MLAs from Seemandhra had already submitted similar affidavits to the Speaker, with a request that they be forwarded to the President.

Ministers from Telangana under the leadership of Jana Reddy, meanwhile, sent a letter to the President pleading with him not to further extend the deadline for the debate on the Telangana bill as sought by the Chief Minister.