When Kiran did a Kejriwal in Delhi
NEW DELHI: Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy did a Kejriwal in Delhi by sitting on dharna against the Central government's decision to divide the State.
Setting a record of sorts for being the first Chief Minister to openly cross swords with his own party leadership by taking to streets, Kiran strongly opposed its "undemocratic and unconstitutional" decision to split Andhra Pradesh.
By embarking on a "mouna deeksha" ( silent protest) at Jantar Mantar, the Chief Minister sought to send across clear message to the Congress high command that he would not remain a "silent spectator to its hasty decision".
Being a former cricketer, Kiran recently proved that he was capable of skilfully playing the game according to the situation. He floored every one with the last ball he played in the State Assembly by getting the resolution passed against the draft Telangana bill.
Once again, by taking to the streets in the national capital, he sought to prove to his fellow Samaikyandhra supporters that he was a capable captain to lead them.
Over 150 Seemandhra leaders including Union Ministers, State Ministers, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, PCC President and other party functionaries joined the Chief Minister at Jantar Mantar in a show of strength to prove to the Delhi bosses that Samaikyandhra leaders are not a divided house but a united family determined to strive for the cause of united Andhra Pradesh.
Among those who sat along with the Chief Minister were Union Ministers Chiranjeevi, Pallam Raju, K.S.Rao, Kotla Suryaprakash Reddy, Purandeeswari, Killi Kruparani, State Ministers Shilajanath, C Ramchandraiah, Vatti Vasantha Kumar, T.G.Venkatesh, Ganta Srinivasa Rao, Galla Aruna Kumari. PCC President Btocha Satyanarayana, MPs Rayapati Sambasiva Rao, Undavalli Arun Kumar etc.
Throughout the day-long protest drama slogans of "Save Democracy, Save AP" "Don't Divide Telugu People" rent the air. Before reaching Jantar Mantar, the Chief Minister, along with his supporters, went to Rajghat and paid floral tributes at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi.
However, as the Chief Minister was leaving AP Bhavan, there was tension with his own party leaders from the Telangana region including some ministers like Geetha Reddy, D.K.Aruna. Sunitha Laxma Reddy tried to obstruct his convoy.
There was a scuffle between the Samaikyandhra and Telangana supporters and the police had to intervene to control the situation.After the day-long dharna which concluded in the evening around 5 pm, the Chief Minister, along with other Seemandhra leaders, proceeded to keep the appointment with the President Pranab Mukherjee in Rashtrapathi Bhavan where he reiterated the need for keeping the State united.
Kiran told the President that the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Bill, 2013 was unconstitutional and illegal. In his four-page letter submitted to the President, Kiran said the Parliament could not take up the Telangana bill which was rejected by the State Assembly.
Kiran also used the opportunity to play the federalism card to the hilt by contending that the Centre's move to go ahead with the bifurcation was against Article 3 of the Constitution as it overrides the principle that new States be created upon receipt of such a request from the Assembly.
Interestingly, the Centre has always maintained that the Article 3 gives overriding powers to the Centre in this regard and State's views are not binding. Emerging from Rashtrapati Bhawan, Kiran said he had requested the President to ensure that AP remained united.
News Posted: 6 February, 2014
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