Asserting that participating in the
debate on the draft Bill would be tantamount to accepting to the division of the state, Y S Jaganmohan Reddy has demanded that the Chief Minister and the leader of the opposition pass a resolution in favour of a united state and save the state from "plunging into turmoil".
"I demand that Kiran Kumar Reddy and N Chandrababu Naidu take initiative and move a resolution in favour of a united state instead of running away from the situation and keeping themselves away from the Assembly, which is in session," Jagan said while addressing a public meeting in Somala (Chittoor) on Wednesday as part of his Samaikya Sankharavam.
"The Chief Minister and the leader of opposition, who have taken to absenteeism to important meetings and Assembly sessions, should come forward and move the resolution. Chandrababu Naidu has been encouraging his MLAs to play according to their regional affiliations. He is not to be seen in the House while a very important issue has come up.
"The entire nation has understood that injustice is being done to Andhra Pradesh, but Kiran Kumar Reddy and Chandrababu Naidu are unable to get a grasp of the situation. Sonia Gandhi is dividing the state to see her son as Prime Minister, and Kiran Kumar Reddy and Chandrababu Naidu are helping her achieve her goal," he said.
Brushing aside the criticism against his party for not participating in the discussion, he said, "If we participate in the debate, it means that we are accepting the proposal for the division of the state. Our party stands for a united and strong state, and I demand that the Chief Minister and TDP leader move a resolution in favour for a united state and let Delhi know the aspirations and feelings of the local people."
"Delhi has been taking us for granted. In the normal course, the state Assembly passes a resolution, which is sent to the Centre, and a draft Bill is sent to the state for discussion. In our state, things are happening differently. Delhi has taken a decision to divide the state without the consent of our Assembly, and has sent a Bill, asking us to discuss and send it back.
"The fight is between Delhi arrogance and Telugu self-respect. We shall fight the battle on a united plank and win 30 MP seats, which will enable us to have a say in national politics. We shall decide the Prime Minister who will be in favour of a united state.
"Both the Chief Minister and the leader of the opposition hail from this district. They will be answerable to farmers who will be deprived of water, and students who will lose job opportunities if the state is divided," he said.
"YSR is still remembered, as his welfare schemes have a wide-ranging appeal to a large cross section of people. While he was alive, the question of division did not arise. After his death, governance has taken a beating, and the political system is getting rotten. We have to stay united and fight for the cause, come what may," he said. (INN)