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‘Assembly nod must for bifurcation of state’
Congress MP Vundavalli Arun Kumar on Friday asserted that approval of the Resolution by the Andhra Pradesh Assembly is not a mere formality but a necessity to forge ahead in the process of Telangana formation. Rejecting the view that it is a mere formality and is not binding on the Centre, Arun Kumar said that by the Fifth Constitutional Amendment, it was inserted that the Centre “has to obtain the views of the State Assembly.”
- Vundavalli contends resolution not a mere formality
- Fifth Constitutional Amendment spells norms clearly
- If House rejects it, it will be sent back to President
- President will ask Centre to consult State concerned
- This process can go on any number of times, says MP
Venkat Parsa
New Delhi: Congress MP Vundavalli Arun Kumar on Friday asserted that approval of the Resolution by the Andhra Pradesh Assembly is not a mere formality but a necessity to forge ahead in the process of Telangana formation. Rejecting the view that it is a mere formality and is not binding on the Centre, Arun Kumar said that by the Fifth Constitutional Amendment, it was inserted that the Centre “has to obtain the views of the State Assembly.”
If the Resolution is not approved by the State Assembly, it will go back to the President, who can refer it back to the Government to consult the State Government. This process can go on for any number of times, Arun Kumar said. Harking back to the First States Reorganisation Commission (SRC) headed by Justice Fazal Ali, Arun Kumar said it had recommended the merger resolution should be passed by two-thirds majority in the State Assembly.
In a democracy, majority is the basis in a decision-making process, he said. Even the Prime Minister is one, who commands a majority in Parliament. Giving a go-by to the principle of majority, no decision can be taken on carving out separate Telangana.
That is why the Congress High Command is treading cautiously in the matter of bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. Congress President Sonia Gandhi set up Antony Committee was set up to address the concerns of the people of Seemandhra to bring them on board in the new State formation process.
Responding to the criticism why he quoted Indira Gandhi and not Congress President Sonia Gandhi on the issue of birfurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Arun Kumar said he had made it clear the stand of Indira Gandhi by quoting her statement in Parliament in 1972. As far as Congress President Sonia Gandhi is concerned, he said the Telangana Congress leaders only have to hear her speech on February 28, 2008. Arun Kumar said he was the translator of her speech and that is why he remembers her exact words. Sonia Gandhi said she respects the sentiments of the people of Telangana and concluded her speech with the slogan Jai Andhra Pradesh – which means united Andhra Pradesh.
Arun Kumar took strong exception to the intolerance shown by the Telangana Congress leaders. They prevented him from speaking in Lok Sabha on Thursday. Similar attempts are on to prevent the APNGOs meeting in Hyderabad on Saturday. This is the height of intolerance. The Telangana Congress leaders should learn to show respect to a rival viewpoint and sit down with the leaders of Seemandhra and address their concerns.
After the CWC Resolution on July 30, there was violent reaction in Seemandhra region. Why was it so, he asked. All the Congress leaders are trying to address the concerns of the people of Seemandhra to find an amicable solution.
