Changes in Andhra Pradesh’s favour only: Telangana Rashtra Samiti

New Delhi: A senior government source said there are several amendments that need to be done to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, but they will be done only after consulting both, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

While the ruling Telugu Desam in AP welcomed the move, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti said it was opposed to any Bill that just satisfies the  AP government’s concerns.

“Parliamentary affairs minister M. Venkaiah Naidu had last month said that both states would be consulted before any amendment is made in the Bill. But if this Bill is just related to AP, we are not in favour of it,” TRS Parliamentary party leader A.P. Jithender Reddy said.

Mr Reddy pointed out that the TRS wants seven mandals that were given to AP be returned.

“There are other amendments that need to be done. We want those amendments done at one go. We will request the Centre,” he said.

“The Centre has ignored many important issues. They should have first amended the bifurcation Act to rectify the nativity of the MPs. They have ignored that issue and amended the act for a non-issue,” TRS MP and senior leader B. Vinod Kumar said.

Mr Kumar is going to raise objections on Monday under rule 70 of the Lok Sabha business rules against the abrupt introduction of Act. “This is a clear case of taking a unilateral decision by the Central government of benefitting only AP by bringing the amendment for increase of MLC seats, he said.