AP Speaker says voting on Telangana Bill after discussion

Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Nadendla Manohar today ruled that there will be voting on the AP Reorganisation Bill after discussion.

This puts to rest doubts on whether there will be voting on the Bill after discussion.

The Speaker said this when Ashok Gajapathy Raju of Telugu Desam Party wanted the Chair to spell out whether there will be voting on the issue.

Earlier, when the House reassembled after adjourment in the morning, members of YSR Congress Party walked out from the House protesting against the way the Bill has been taken up by the Centre and the State Assembly against the mood of the people in the State.

With the walkout of YSRCP and the Speaker's clarification on voting on the Bill, the House began discussion on the Bill.

Earlier in the day, the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly was adjourned for half-an-hour amid protests by YSR Congress Party members.

The trouble started within minutes of the House assembling with YSRCP members opposed to the creation of Telangana and pressed for their demand for a resolution on Samaikyandhra (unified Andhra Pradesh). .

With the Speaker Nadendla Manohar rejecting the adjournment motion moved by YSRCP and insisting on taking up the discussion, members rushed to the podium, shouted slogans and created pandemonium.

This forced the Speaker to adjourn the House for half-an-hour to restore order.

The current session of the Assembly has been convened to take up a discussion on the AP Re-organisation Bill and send it back to the President before January 23.

>rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in