CM describes Telangana Bill as "sensitive"

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Wednesday described the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2013, as sensitive and said that such a Bill was never discussed by the State Legislatures in the past.

Speaking for the first time since the tabling of the Telangana Bill in the State Legislative Council, the Chief Minister said that there was clarity on how the debate should take place. He requested Assembly Speaker Nadendla Manohar and Council chairman Dr A Chakrapani to call for a meeting of the Business Advisory Committees, if required, to set the procedure for the debate.

The Chief Minister said that the debate should be within the framework of the Constitution, its rules and traditions. He advised all the members to restrain from making provocative statements and remain careful in use of language and words during the debate. He said that the statements should not hurt anybody.

Kiran Kumar Reddy, who made his opposition to the State's bifurcation clear, also cited the instances of debates in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar Assemblies before the formation of Uttarakhand and Jharkhand States.

However, Opposition Leader in the Council Yanamala Ramakrishnudu objection to the Chief Minister's statement said that he was not empowered to direct the Presiding Officers on how to run the House and conduct the debate. This objection angered the Congress legislators and led to pandemonium and slogan shouting.

Amid furore, the Council Chairman adjourned the Council till January 3.