Kiran mulls a dramatic end to his tenure

HYDERABAD: Are we going to witness more 'dramatic' moments during the ongoing process for creation of a Telangana State? The answer appears to be Yes.

One such event, being privately discussed in select Congress circles, is the possibility of Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy resigning on the floor of the Assembly when the T resolution comes up before it.

However, it depends on whether the Centre announces a package for Seemandhra by which the ongoing agitation might subside. 'What is beyond doubt is that Kiran is not going to move the resolution. He is also seriously considering announcing his resignation towards the end of the discussion in the House,' a source said.

Though not in as many words, the Chief Minister is already said to have conveyed to the Congress central leadership that he should not be burdened with the task of moving the T resolution in the Assembly.

Among other options, the party top brass is considering asking Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu, who hails from Telangana, to introduce the resolution.

According to those privy to the thinking of the Chief Minsiter, his quit move will be done with the full knowledge of Delhi and in a manner that it does not stall the resolution.

According to them, the House will definitely discuss the issue though it is still doubtful if there would be voting. As for the resignation part, they say it is in line with what Kiran has been doing ever since Delhi announced its intent to carve out a T state ' use every possible opportunity to oppose the decision and espouse the cause of Seemandhra.

'What he is going to do in the House will be sort of a logical end to his current actions,' a senior leader said. At the same time, Seemandhra leaders are also ruling out the possibility of Kiran leaving the party even after he resigns.

'As someone who hails from Rayalaseema, his point is that he does not want to go down in history as one who moved the bifurcation resolution in the Assembly. He intends to use the Assembly as another platform to put across his point of view and, thereby, emerge unscathed at least individually,' one of them said.

They are also clear that even in the event of Kiran stepping down, it is unlikely to alter the course much because once the views of the Assembly are conveyed, there will be no role for the State Legislature in the subsequent steps related to bifurcation.

As for Kiran, he would at best be sacrificing two/three months of tenure as election mode would, in any case, set in by Feb. There are, however, sections within the Congress which are doubtful of his 'resignation' move. 'He may,' a senior leader observed.