'Resolution to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh be referred to state legislature'

NEW DELHI: Congress Lok Sabha member from Andhra Pradesh, Aruna Kumar Vundavalli, on Tuesday demanded that the resolution pertaining to bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh be referred to the State legislature.

In a letter to President Pranab Mukherjee, he said, it is strongly believed that invoking Article 3, the State of Andhra Pradesh is being divided, without consent of state legislature.

Citing excerpts from B R Ambedkar's speech in Parliament during discussions on Article 3 in 1949, he said, States shall be consulted over the issue. "The Chief Minister must introduce a resolution in the Assembly in this regard," Vundavalli, representing Rajahmundry Parliamentary constituency stressed.

Queried about the consequence of the resolution being defeated in the legislative assembly since elected representatives from Seemandhra region constitute a majority in Andhra Pradesh Assembly, he said, in that event the President must arrive at a consensus.