Never insulted Assembly, Privilege Motion moves will fail: Lagadapati

Denying that he had made any comments which could insult the established democratic norms, Vijayawada MP Lagadapati Rajagopal on Wednesday expressed confidence that the moves to bring a Privilege Motion against him by elected representatives from Telangana would not hold water.

Talking to media persons here on Wednesday, Mr Rajagopal, in his own imitable style, expressed incredulity that the Telangana Legislators were attempting to bring a Privilege Motion against him, ‘without any basis.’

Clarifying on his remarks on the deletion of Clause 14 F of the Presidential Order of 1975, the Vijayawada MP said that he had only said that the Centre would not agree to deletion of the controversial Clause since the resolution passed by the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly was not on proper voting pattern.

It may be mentioned here that in essence, Mr Rajagopal’s argument is flawed since voting is not necessary every time any Bill, Motion or Resolution is adopted by the House. The House had passed the resolution with near unanimity.

The Vijayawada MP further said that the Police Department has been exempted from the zonal system and Hyderabad has been included in the Free Zone so that law and order could be maintained in the city.

He added, “I have never made any harsh comments insulting the established democratic norms.”

Mr Rajagopal further said that the Centre would take the final decision on the resolution seeking deletion of the controversial Clause.

The Vijayawada MP further said that the state Assembly was yet to pass a resolution on Telangana statehood. “The AP Assembly has not passed any resolution on Telangana statehood so far,” Mr Rajagopal pointed out.

The MP added that in the event of division of the state, certain parameters would have to be followed and bifurcation should have to be done on scientific basis.

Stating that Centre never promised Telangana on December 9, 2009 when Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had made his famous statement, Mr Rajagopal said Centre stated that it would take appropriate decision on statehood issue at an appropriate time.

Stating that he never objected to any resolution on Telangana, the Vijayawada MP said the Congress was unwilling to form a separate state.  “If a resolution on Telangana is introduced in the House, about 225 members will oppose it,” Mr Rajagopal said.