Telangana is all set to become the country's 29th state of India soon with parliament on Feb 20, 2014 approving the bill to carve it out of Andhra Pradesh. Creation of Telangana was approved by Parliament on Feb 20, 2014 with Rajya Sabha clearing the contentious bill to split AP after Congress and BJP came together amid unprecedented uproar. The whole of Telangana erupted in joy as the bill for formation of the separate state was passed by the RS. In a bid to address concerns of the Seemandhra region, PM Manmohan Singh announced grant of Special Category Status including tax incentives to the residuary state which will comprise 13 districts as part of a six-point development package for AP's two successor states. Singh, whose intervention was drowned out during vociferous protests by members from Seemandhra region as also from Trinamool and Shiv Sena, said for purposes of Central assistance, the Special Status that will also include tax incentives will be extended for a period of five years. The PM made the announcement apparently responding to demands from Seemandhra MPs as well as from BJP for "justice" to the region. Congress President Sonia Gandhi's request to the PM to give the special status to Seemandhra for five years appears to have paved the way for the historic bill's passage and BJP came on board. After days of mayhem in Parl, the suspense over the approval of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2014 came to an end with BJP backing the govt despite raising several concerns. Union Minister Jairam Ramesh made a strong pitch for the division of UP, a demand often voiced by BSP. The RS House looked like a virtual battle-ground during the five-hour proceedings, which saw seven adjournments as members resorted to slogan shouting and tore papers. The debate also saw the govt facing an awkward situation when Union Minister Chiranjeevi, who hails from Seemandhra region, opposed the decision on Telangna inviting ridicule from BJP. As the bill appeared set to be a reality with most of the amendments moved by the BJP either negatived or withdrawn, CPI-M and Trinamool alleged "nexus" between the ruling party and the main Oppn.
The Lok Sabha approved the bill on Feb 18. Amidst din, chaos and an unprecedented black out of television coverage, the bill to carve out Telangana was passed by the LS with Cong and BJP coming together on the issue. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2014 was adopted by a voice vote after Leader of the Oppn Sushma Swaraj lent support to it in a debate in which other opposition leaders had no say. Parties like CPI(M) have criticised the way the Andhra Pradesh Bifurcation Bill has been adopted in the Lok Sabha. They said that the legislation was cleared in an undemocratic way violating all norms and procedures. AP CM Kiran Kumar Reddy, upset over the Telangana bill being passed by the LS, resigned from the post and also quit from the party. A probe was ordered into the 90-minute blackout on LS TV when the controversial bill was taken up. The probe has found that failure to receive signals from the nine automatic cameras in LS resulted in the blackout of LS TV during the crucial proceedings for passage of the Telangana bill. TRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao reached out to Seemandhra people, especially those living in Telangana region amid apprehension about their future, saying they were "brothers and sisters" and can live happily in the new state. With Telangana all set to become a reality, major credit for keeping separation movement alive and kicking, particularly in the last decade, goes to KCR, who could well be the political heavyweight in India's 29th state. Congress is angling for an understanding with TRS to maximise its gains in the region to offset losses in Seemandhra. YSR Congress chief Jaganmohan Reddy said his party would approach the court over the "undemocratic" division of Andhra Pradesh. Observed that democracy was killed in broad daylight ever before, and said the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill 2014, was introduced undemocratically in the LS. Jagan further attacked PM Manmohan Singh, saying his speech has failed to address various issues of Seemandhra region such as capital city, financial aid and water issues.
The Lok Sabha approved the bill on Feb 18. Amidst din, chaos and an unprecedented black out of television coverage, the bill to carve out Telangana was passed by the LS with Cong and BJP coming together on the issue. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2014 was adopted by a voice vote after Leader of the Oppn Sushma Swaraj lent support to it in a debate in which other opposition leaders had no say. Parties like CPI(M) have criticised the way the Andhra Pradesh Bifurcation Bill has been adopted in the Lok Sabha. They said that the legislation was cleared in an undemocratic way violating all norms and procedures. AP CM Kiran Kumar Reddy, upset over the Telangana bill being passed by the LS, resigned from the post and also quit from the party. A probe was ordered into the 90-minute blackout on LS TV when the controversial bill was taken up. The probe has found that failure to receive signals from the nine automatic cameras in LS resulted in the blackout of LS TV during the crucial proceedings for passage of the Telangana bill. TRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao reached out to Seemandhra people, especially those living in Telangana region amid apprehension about their future, saying they were "brothers and sisters" and can live happily in the new state. With Telangana all set to become a reality, major credit for keeping separation movement alive and kicking, particularly in the last decade, goes to KCR, who could well be the political heavyweight in India's 29th state. Congress is angling for an understanding with TRS to maximise its gains in the region to offset losses in Seemandhra. YSR Congress chief Jaganmohan Reddy said his party would approach the court over the "undemocratic" division of Andhra Pradesh. Observed that democracy was killed in broad daylight ever before, and said the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill 2014, was introduced undemocratically in the LS. Jagan further attacked PM Manmohan Singh, saying his speech has failed to address various issues of Seemandhra region such as capital city, financial aid and water issues.