Telangana bifurcation: Revolt erupts from within & outside

There is open revolt within the government's ranks on the Telangana bifurcation. HRD minister Pallam Raju has quit - making him the second Union minister after Chiranjeevi quit yesterday. Meanwhile Seemandhra legislators have decided they will not resign and will try to defeat the bifurcation move in the assembly. YSR Congress chief Jagan Mohan Reddy has announced he is going on a hunger strike.

Also Read: 72-hour bandh in Seemandhra as Cabinet clears Telangana
24 hours after the Union government bit the Telanagna bullet, it’s an open revolt in Andhra Pradesh. After tourism minister Chiranjeevi, it was HRD minister Pallam Raju and MoS railways Kotla S Reddy who resigned from the Union government.
"I thought over it last night and then I have decided that I should resign from the Union counsel of ministers," Pallam Raju HRD Minister told reporters.
But the bigger worry though is Jagan Mohan Reddy. Seemandhra is reeling under a 72 hours bandh call and Jagan has now threatened to go on an indefinite hunger strike if the Union government does not reverse its decision.
Jaganmohan Reddy, Chief, YSR Congress, says: “Is it justifiable to split the state without any assembly resolution in place. I don't understand - a city that has taken 60 years to build to come this far - you are asking us to leave it in 10 years. In protest, starting tomorrow I'm on an indefinite fast.”
Meanwhile, Seemandhra legislators met CM Kiran Kumar Reddy. It has been decided they will not resign and will try to defeat the bifurcation move in the assembly.
The central government meanwhile is going ahead with the formalities of drafting the Telangana Bill. The group of ministers aim to draft a bill in 6 weeks dividing resources, personnel and border of Andhra Pradesh.
Sushil Kumar Shinde, Home Minister, says: “Our colleagues have expressed their concerns. We have to take them into confidence and try our level best. Such feelings during bifurcation are normal. But we have to console them.”
Streets of Andhra have erupted after the Cabinet decision, but the central government appears unmoved. Sources say they are aiming to bring the Telengana Bill in the winter session of the parliament.