Sridhar Babu, Bhatti refute CM’s version

According to sources, the Chief Minister being the Leader of House, wants to set the ball rolling by making a marathon speech first and argue his case as to why he was opposing the bifurcation of the State.

Kiran, on Friday, reiterated that the arguments he had publicly made so far was only 30 per cent of what he had told the party high command. He said that he would be unfolding the rest of the 70 per cent on the floor of the House. He also asked the Seemandhra MLAs to insist on division on the provisions of the Bill.

But the Deputy Speaker Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Friday said that the debate on the Bill had already commenced. He said the Assembly records were there for anyone to verify and clarify that the debate has been initiated as per the decision that was taken at the BAC meeting on December 11. He informed that he had called the Leader of Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu to initiate the discussion.

The deputy Speaker felt that the members should not lose a great opportunity to express their views, objections, and apprehensions and also demand what they want for the development of the residuary State.

This assertion comes a day after Chief Minister stated that the Bill was only tabled and discussion was yet to begin. Kiran had also disowned the bulletin issued in his name by the Assembly secretariat saying that the discussion had begun.

Countering Kiran’s claim, chief whip Gandra Venkataramana Reddy, Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu, Deputy Chief Minister C Damodara Rajanarasimha, and Ministers Danam Nagender and M Mukesh Goud said that there was strong feeling among the T leaders that since the Bill was in regard to the creation of a new State, the T leaders should initiate the discussion.

Venkatramana Reddy said that initiation of the debate again in the House doesn’t arise. “May be the Chief Minister wants to take the credit for introducing the historic Bill in the House. But there is no such chance since the debate had already begun.

Sridhar Babu felt that not recognising the bulletin issued by the Assembly secretariat amounts to disrespect towards the Speakers office. He said that anyone in the chair would act without any bias and as per the rules and procedures of the House and constitutional provisions.

The note that was circulated on Friday, in the name of the Chief Minister, clearly states that the discussion had begun. Asked if there would be voting as claimed by the Chief Minister, Sridhar Babu said that it would be a matter for the Speaker to decide.

Speaking to media after a meeting at the residence of deputy Chief Minister Rajanarasimha, Ministers Nagender and Mukesh said they would oppose the clause pertaining to extending the jurisdiction of common capital to entire GHMC area. They will also oppose entrusting law and order in joint capital to the Governor.