Parliament clears 29th state

Amid protests, Upper House passes Bill by voice vote; Seemandhra gets special status.

A seperate state of Telangana is finally a reality. With the BJP not insisting on a division on its amendments, the Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2014 to create India’s 29th state by a voice vote, amid protests by regional parties led by the Trinamool Congress and Shiv Sena, forcing multiple adjournments, walkouts and an unprecedented expression of dissent by a union minister.

The Rajya Sabha took up the Bill after the BJP agreed to the government’s suggestion that its demands for a financial commitment to Seemandhra would be reflected in a statement that the Prime Minister would make in the Upper House. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced a six-point package for the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh, including special category status for five years and tax incentives to promote industrialisation and boost economic growth in both the states.

Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath and Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh met top BJP leaders in the morning, where they arrived at the agreement, paving the way for passage of the Bill and fulfillment of a 60-year-old demand by the people of Telangana. Top sources said the text of the Prime Minister’s statement was shared with top BJP leaders including L K Advani, Arun Jaitley and Venkaiah Naidu.

Singh’s speech, however, was drowned in the slogan-shouting by TMC members who tore the official papers. The Congress came under attack from all parties, including the BJP, with Jaitley and Naidu saying the party was indulging in “vote bank” and “opportunistic” politics by dividing the state on the eve of elections.

Union Minister Chiranjeevi spoke against the bifurcation, saying it was being done in an unfair manner and he felt heartbroken.

The Left alleged “match fixing” between the BJP and Congress, and walked out before the passage of the Bill. The DMK, JD(U) and BJD members also left the House separately during the course of the debate, after their leaders opposed the division.

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The passage of the Bill was not devoid of drama. SP member Kiranmoy Nanda tried to snatch the Bill from Shinde, but Congress members foiled the attempt by gathering around the minister. TMC members led by Derek O’ Brien and Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, along with JD(U) members, TDP’s Y S Chowdhary and C M Ramesh and Congress’s K V P Ramachandra Rao, protested in the Well of the House for nearly three hours when the Bill was discussed.

Manoj C.G

Manoj C G currently serves as the Chief of National Political Bureau at The Indian Express. A veteran journalist with a career spanning nearly two decades, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the publication's coverage of India's political landscape. Experience & Career: Manoj has built a robust career in political journalism, marked by a transition from wire service reporting to in-depth newspaper analysis. The Indian Express (2008 – Present): He joined the organization in 2008 and has risen to lead the National Political Bureau, overseeing key political coverage. Press Trust of India (PTI): Prior to his tenure at The Indian Express, Manoj worked with India’s premier news agency, PTI, honing his skills in breaking news and accurate reporting. Expertise & Focus Areas: As a seasoned political observer, Manoj focuses on the nuances of governance and party dynamics. National Politics: extensive reporting on the central government, parliamentary affairs, and national elections. Political Strategy: Deep analysis of party structures, coalition politics, and the shifting ideologies within the Indian political spectrum. Bureau Leadership: directing a team of reporters to cover the most critical developments in the nation's capital. Authoritativeness & Trust: Manoj’s authoritativeness is grounded in his nearly 20 years of field experience and his leadership role at a legacy newspaper. His long-standing association with The Indian Express underscores a reputation for consistency, editorial integrity, and rigorous reporting standards required of a Bureau Chief. Find all stories by Manoj C G here. ... Read More