BJP demands bill on Telangana in Parliament's Monsoon Session

NEW DELHI: An all party-meeting to discuss legislative business in Parliament's Monsoon Session today saw a fierce debate on the issue of Telangana with BJP demanding a bill be brought on it in this session and some other parties fearing repercussions of the decision in other states.

The meeting also saw a near unanimity among parties on taking corrective measures to ensure that politicians are not barred from contesting polls due to politics of vendetta in the light of a recent court judgement that debars them from fighting elections if they were in jail or in police custody.

Opposition parties, however, took strong objections to the government's move to bring changes in FDI policy without consulting them.

In the meeting, BJP expressed readiness to support the government in passage of the Food Security Bill and Land Acquisition Bill after incorporating amendments suggested by it.

"BJP demands that the government should bring a bill to create Telangana state in this session of Parliament itself. Because so far the decision that has been taken is of the Congress party and not a government decision.

"It will be considered a government decision, when the bill will come. We will fully support the bill and ensure its passage so that the very old demand of Telananga is fulfilled," Swaraj told reporters here.

The meeting also saw Trinamool Congress attacking the government for holding talks with leaders of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration and "by-passing" the state government.

Accusing the Centre of stoking problems in West Bengal after its decision on Telangana, leaders from the former UPA ally alleged that central ministers accompanied GTA leaders to meet Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, a charge denied by him, the sources said.

AGP leaders were also wary that the decision on Telangana may have a bearing not only in Andhra Pradesh but many other states including Assam, where the demand of a separate statehood is continuing for long.