CM intensifies lobbying in Delhi to stop T-Bill

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, who arrived here on Tuesday morning, began intense lobbying to stall the tabling of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill in the Parliament.

The Chief Minister held a meeting with the Seemandhra leaders at AP Bhavan to discuss the future strategy. The meeting was attended by union ministers, MPs and legislators from the coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema region. The Chief Minister has reportedly resolved to go ahead with the proposed dharna on Wednesday.

The Congress High Command has reportedly invited the Chief Minister and other leaders for talks to find out an amicable solution to ongoing standoff. It wants the proposed protest by the Chief Minister to be called off while taking an assurance from the Seemandhra MPs on their cooperation during the ensuing session of Parliament beginning from Wednesday. It is not yet clear whether or not Kiran Kumar Reddy would meet the Congress High Command.

Meanwhile, the venue of Chief Minister's dharna has been shifted from Shakti Sthal, the memorial of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, to Jantar Mantar. Minister TG Venkatesh informed that the Chief Minister and other Seemandhra leaders would first pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at his Samadhi and then proceeds towards Jantar Mantar to hold a silent protest. Later, they would meet President of India Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan.