Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, who arrived in Delhi on Tuesday morning, began intense lobbying to stall the tabling of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill in the Parliament.
The Chief Minister held a meeting with Seemandhra leaders at AP Bhavan to discuss the future strategy. The meeting was attended by Union ministers, MPs and legislators from coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema. The Chief Minister has reportedly resolved to go ahead with the
proposed dharna on Wednesday.
The Congress High Command has reportedly invited the Chief Minister and other leaders for talks to find an amicable solution to ongoing standoff. It wants the proposed protest by the Chief Minister to be called off, while taking an assurance from Seemandhra MPs on their cooperation during the ensuing session of the Parliament beginning Wednesday. It is not yet clear whether Kiran Kumar Reddy will meet the Congress High Command.
Meanwhile, the venue of the Chief Minister's dharna has been shifted from Shakti Sthal, the memorial of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, to Jantar Mantar. Minister T G Venkatesh informed the press that the Chief Minister and other Seemandhra leaders would first pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at his Samadhi and then proceed towards Jantar Mantar to hold a silent protest. Later, they will meet President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan. (INN)