BJP places hurdles for Telangana Bill in Rajya Sabha

NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha could not take up the Telangana bill on Wednesday after BJP demanded a Constitution amendment and a wholesome package for Seemandhra. A meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and ministerial colleagues with Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley and its Andhra leader M Venkaiah Naidu later in the day could not break the deadlock.

BJP’s change in stand a day after the bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday may be due to electoral considerations in Seemandhra, political analysts said. On its part, Congress appeared to mollify Seemandhra sentiments with party president Sonia Gandhi asking the government to come out with a special category status to the residual state for five years to cater to its developmental needs.

The Upper House witnessed high drama when it assembled for the day, with TDP member CM Ramesh pushing Secretary-General Shumsher K Sheriff and snatching papers from him. It also saw several adjournments.

In the evening, though there was expectation the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill would be taken up, the House was adjourned abruptly. No reasons were given. According to a source, BJP raised the issue of a Constitution amendment as the bill conferred law and order powers on the governor. Under the Constitution, the governor acts on the aid and advise of the Council of Ministers. However, the Telangana bill gave powers directly to the governor to administer the law and order of Hyderabad.

BJP argued that it was not opposed to Telangana but wanted the legislation to be vires, as law and order fell in the State List and conferring these powers on the governor would require a Constitution amendment. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath confirmed that BJP has raised the issue of Constitution amendment. But the government is reluctant to concede to BJP’s demand because it does not want the bill to be scuttled as very little time was available for the Lok Sabha to take up a Constitution amendment.

Congress leaders feel such a move is also fraught with risk as a Constitution amendment bill requires more than half the members to be present in the House and votes of two-thirds. This would also require the House to be in order and the bill cannot be passed by a voice vote amid din and chaos.