December 11, 2012
HYDERABAD: In what might be a first, five Congress MPs from Telangana submitted a privilege notice against Andhra Pradesh CM Kiran Reddy, who belongs to their party, in the clearest indication of fresh trouble for the party high command.
Andhra Pradesh CM Kiran Reddy
December 11, 2012
HYDERABAD: In what might be a first, five Congress MPs from Telangana submitted a privilege notice against Andhra Pradesh CM Kiran Reddy, who belongs to their party, in the clearest indication of fresh trouble for the party high command.
Andhra Pradesh CM Kiran Reddy
The Congress MPs on Tuesday followed up on their earlier complaint regarding a Telangana march held in September. The MPs said they were detained in police stations without Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar being informed and also alleged that the protests were throttled.
The unusual action of naming the CM is likely to spur speculation that some Congress MPs from Telangana may be looking for an exit as there is no sign of the party high command considering the statehood demand. The big jump in ministerial representation from the state is seen as a compensation package of sorts.
Five Congress MPs, who submitted a privilege notice seeking action against the CM for refusing to meet them on the day of the Telangana March on September 30 and detaining them in police custody are Manda Jagannath, Madhu Yaskhi Goud, Ponnam Prabhakar, S Rajaiah and G Vivek.
The notice is also endorsed by K Rajagopal Reddy and Gutha Sukhender Reddy. All of them were arrested when they tried to meet the CM and have blamed him for denying them their rights as MPs.
The situation in Andhra has become more complex with the entry of Congress rebel Jaganmohan Reddy as a potent political force at the expense of the party and Opposition Telugu Desam Party. The Telangana sentiment also remains strong, and Congress faces a serious threat in the region as well as in Rayalseema and coastal areas.
In a bid to remain on the right side of the political sentiments in their areas, Congress legislators have been tempted to hitch their fortunes with either Jaganmohan or the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). The dilemma will grow more acute as the 2014 state and Parliament polls draw closer.
"The CM violated the privileges of members of Parliament by refusing to meet us," said Jagannath, adding, "The state government also unleashed unprecedented repression in Telangana by taking into custody indiscriminately whoever was moving to Hyderabad to take part in the march."
The MPs said they had wanted to inform the CM about police obstructing supporters of Telangana taking part in the march but Reddy refused to meet them on the ground that he had no time.
"The Lok Sabha secretary general confirmed that neither he or the Speaker was not informed. This is clear breach of privilege," Jagannath said. The MPs said the Speaker's office has assured them that they will act on the notice by next week.
Courtesy: TOI
