All eyes on Seemandhra Ministers

S Sailajanath, TG Venkatesh, Erasu Pratap Reddy, Ganta Srinivasa Rao

Kasu Krishna Reddy, Galla Aruna, Kumari, S Vijayarama Raju

Pithani Satyanarayana, K Parthasarathy

Botcha Satyanarayana, Raghuveera Reddy, Anam Ramanarayan Reddy, Kanna Lakshminarayana, Kondru Murali, P Balraju, D Manikya Varaprasad, Vatti Vasant Kumar, Ahmedullah.

Hyderabad: The state bifurcation issue has not only created a rift amongst the people and elected representatives of different regions but also between Seemandhra Ministers in the state cabinet.

There are 22 ministers from the region. It now remains to be seen who would take what stand when Telangana Bill would come up for discussion in the Assembly sometime next week.

It is more or less clear that all of them are not united on the issue of supporting or opposing the Draft T Bill. While some Minister’s claim that they will oppose the Bill, others say that they will follow the decision of the high command.

Among those who are likely to oppose the Bill and may even vote against it, in case voting takes place, are Ministers S Sailajanath, TG Venkatesh, Erasu Pratap Reddy, Ganta Srinivasa Rao, who have been openly criticising the Congress high command’s decision to divide the state. Ganta Srinivasa, who is reported to be mulling to switch loyalties to TDP, might use the final opportunity to launch an all-out attack against the national party in the Assembly.

It remains to be seen what stand ministers Pithani Satyanarayana, K Parthasarathy, who are said to be close confidants of the Chief Minister, would take. Sources say that they might adopt a neutral stand and try to remain in the good books of the party high command. Ministers like Kasu Krishna Reddy, Galla Aruna Kumari, S Vijayarama Raju are also unlikely to oppose the Draft Bill.

On the other hand, Ministers Botcha Satyanarayana, Anam Ramanarayan Reddy, Raghuveera Reddy, Kanna Lakshminarayana, Kondru Murali, P Balraju, D Manikya Varaprasad, Vatti Vasant Kumar, Ahmedullah have so far been playing it safe though they have been claiming that they are for united Andhra Pradesh. During the discussion in the Assembly, these leaders are expected to dwell at length on reasons that forced Congress party to arrive at this decision. They are likely to lay emphasis on protecting interests of Seemandhra people, besides seeking a good package from the Centre for the residuary state.

Expressing their ‘personal’ opinion in favour of pro-united AP, these Ministers might as well state that they would abide by the decision taken by the high command.