The Draft of the AP Reorganisation Bill 2013, which has been sent to Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly for its opinion on formation of separate State of Telangana, has now entered a decisive phase in the brief winter session of the House.
The Business Advisory Committee of the House is expected to meet on Monday morning to finalise ways to take forward the discussion on the Bill.
The members of the Legislative Assembly are totally divided for and against the bill, against the division of the State and even about taking up discussion, making it tough for the progress of business in the House. Even at the Business Advisory Committee, it is tough to get a consensus on how to take forward the discussion, sources said.
There is also considerable debate outside the House about how to take the Bill forward in the Assembly. That is whether to merely have a discussion and express views and forward the same to the Centre or to take up voting of the Bill.
The issue has become an important point for consideration now with the Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy asserting that the bifurcation of the State is possible only after amendment of the Constitution. The provisions of Article 370 (D) of the Constitution has been quoted stating that it makes voting mandatory in Parliament.
However, views on this aspect vary from one party to another. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi believes that there is no need for voting. All that the Assembly has to do is express its views on the Bill and forward the same if there are any suggestions.
Meanwhile, the Opposition Telugu Desam Party has said that they plan to move a privilege notice against the All India Congress Committee General Secretary Digvijay Singh for what they alleged was interfering with the affairs of the State Legislature.
They objected to his statements about the House could only debate the Bill and should not vote on the bill. They further contended that the committee will meet on Monday and decide the way forward also amounted to influencing the Assembly proceedings.
The House was initially convened for seven days from December 12. But given the huge list of likely speakers in the House on the Bill, it is to be seen if the House proceedings get extended by some days.
rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in