Whip Not Necessary For T-Bill In Assembly: Gandra

Government chief whip Gandra Venkata Ramana Reddy on Wednesday said that it isn't necessary to issue a whip to pass the Telangana Bill in the state Legislative Assembly.

Speaking to media persons here, Gandra said that Congress president Sonia Gandhi is firm on the formation of the Telangana state, and that she would take all measures to ensure that the Telangana Bill gets the nod of both the Legislative Assembly and the Parliament.

However, he said that the Legislative Assembly's approval won't be necessary to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh, and that only its opinion would be sought.

He added that there is no need of the Congress party issuing a whip, when the Telangana Bill comes for voting in the Assembly.

Gandra also said that the Congress party has already made it clear that Bhadrachalam would be part of the Telangana state, and that therefore, there should be no apprehensions, whatsoever, on its status.

He also said that the Congress Working Committee resolution is also clear on the status of Hyderabad.

Gandra also ridiculed CM N Kiran Kumar Reddy for opposing the state's bifurcation. He said that the CM was aware "in advance" that the CWC would decide in favour of Telangana, and that the Centre would go ahead with the process of bifurcation.

He stated that it was wrong on the Chief Minister's part to criticise the Congress High Command now, for dividing the state. (INN)