Jaganmohan Reddy meets Nitish Kumar against Congress dividing Andhra Pradesh

PATNA: YSR Congress President Jaganmohan Reddy met Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over division of Andhra Pradesh and raised the issue of Congress "highhandedness" in doing so without consulting the state, a point which Kumar described as "valid."

Emerging from a hour-long meeting with Kumar at his One Anne Marg residence, the YSR Congress President told reporters that he had come to seek support of Bihar CM against Congress "highhandedness" in division of Andhra Pradesh without consulting the state government.

"The Congress-led UPA with 272 MPs can think they can split any state...this is abuse of Article 3 of the constitution. This is dangerous trend" Jagan Mohan Reddy said.

Jagan Reddy accompanied by two YSR Congress MPs,Rajmohan Reddy and SPY Reddy, claimed Kumar heard his plea seriously and shared his concerns.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said the YSR Congress chief has a "valid" point that state has not been consulted for division of Andhra Pradesh.

"Though there is provision in the Constitution that a new state can be created through a simple majority but this is against a set tradition of democracy in the country," he said.

Kumar said he would discuss the subject in JD(U) to protest "misuse" of Article 3 of the Constitution.

The two leaders denied any talks on formation of a Third Front in the country.

"Arbitrary division of Andhra Pradesh by the Congress was the only topic of discussion and nothing else," Jaganmohan Reddy in reply to mediapersons repeated questions if his meeting with Kumar was an effort to form a Third Front against Congress and BJP.

Kumar echoed similar views. The YSR Congress chief, who is son of former Andhra Pradesh Congress Chief Minister YSR Reddy, has met several leaders including Mamata Banerjee, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Navin Patnaik and Sharad Yadav in support of united Andhra.