Hopeful of Prez considering views of MLAs on Telangana, says Kiran Reddy

Terming the rejection of AP Reorganisation-2013 Bill by state legislature as ‘Brahmastra’, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy today expressed confidence that President Pranab Mukherjee would take into consideration that matter before sending the bill to the parliament.

‘I am confident that the President will take into consideration the views of the Assembly and the Council (on the bill), the views that are not questioned and challenged, the view that the state should be united. Let's see what happens,’ he told reporters here.

Rejecting the criticism by Telangana leaders that the voice vote decision on the bill in the assembly is useless, he said ‘voice vote means unchallenged and unopposed’.

Asserting that 80 to 90 per cent of the bills in legislative assembly or parliament are passed by voice vote, the chief minister said recent Lokpal bill, Food security bill and even the bills for formation of Jharkhand, Chattisgarh were passed by voice vote.

‘No state in India was formed after the resolution was defeated in the assembly. This resolution is Brahmastra (celestial weapon) to keep the state united,’ he said.

Replying to a query, Kiran Kumar said he had sought time from President for February 4 or 5 to present the case for keeping the state united.

The future course of action would be decided in consultation with Seemandhra Congress MPs and MLAs, he said to a query.

Asked if he would undertake a fast in Delhi as being reported in a section of media, he said: ‘I don't know about that. You are suggesting. Let's see’. 

Noting that Telugu people should decide their future, Kiran Kumar said, ‘elections are just two months away. Let the people take a decision’.

The President can seek legal advise on the issue of the Telangana Bill and he would take a decision after taking into consideration all relevant matters, he said.

Replying to a query, Kiran Kumar said Congress did not play ‘drama’ out of political expediency.

‘There is freedom for me within Congress. We can express our views,’ he added.