Hyderabad/New Delhi: Union Science and Technology Minister S. Jaipal Reddy Wednesday said the bill for formation of a separate Telangana state will be passed by parliament in the first week of February.
Reacting to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy taking away legislative affairs portfolio from D. Sridhar Babu, a minister from Telangana, Jaipal Reddy said a conspiracy was hatched to stall the constitutional process.
The senior Congress leader from Telangana said divesting Sridhar Babu of the portfolio was an attempt to stop the inevitable. He said it was not proper to whip up the regional feelings through such actions at the time of separation.
Talking to reporters in New Delhi, he said Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill 2013 referred to the state assembly by the president under article 3 of the constitution will be in the hands of Parliament after Jan 23.
"At midnight on Jan 23, the bill will be out of the hands of the state assembly and will come to parliament," he said.
Kiran Reddy, who is against bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Tueday divested Sridhar Babu of the key portfolio and allotted the same to S. Sailajanath, a minister from Seemandhra, two days before the assembly is scheduled to begin debate on the reorganization bill.
Jaipal Reddy said legislators from both the regions can avail the opportunity to debate the bill and present their views. He said if there were any loopholes in the bill, those opposing it may challenge it in the court.
