TDP asks Centre not to fix Telangana formation date in haste

HYDERABAD: Telugu Desam Party today requested the Centre not to fix an "appointed date" for formation of Telangana state in haste and wait till the Supreme Court fully disposes petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the AP Reorganisation Bill.

"Many petitions are pending in the Supreme Court against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. Constitutional and legal experts have already expressed the view that the AP Reorganisation Bill is unconstitutional. Let the Supreme Court first pronounce whether or not the Bill is constitutional," TDP politburo member Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said in a statement here.

Only the Supreme Court was empowered to determine whether any law passed by Parliament is legal and constitutional, the Leader of Opposition in AP Legislative Council pointed out.

Noting that the AP Reorganisation Bill was not an ordinary one, Yanamala said the Centre should tread cautiously while sending it to the President for assent.

"The Centre should not hurriedly fix the appointed date for the new state to come into being. It should go ahead only after the Supreme Court delivered its verdict on the petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Bill," Yanamala said.