Decks cleared for India's 29th state as Parliament passes Telangana Bill

New Delhi: India on February 20, 2014 got its 29th state, but not before a day-long debate in Parliament and a decades-long struggle for it. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill 2013, which seeks to bifurcate the southern state into Telangana and Seemandhra, was passed by Rajya Sabha on Thursday, days after it was adopted by Lok Sabha.

After prolonged debate and continued disruptions, the Upper House adopted the Bill through a voice vote, despite many amendments being moved by the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, all of which were defeated.

The Prime Minister assured the Opposition that Hyderabad will be a joint capital of the two regions for a period of 10 years and Seemandhra will get financial packages to grow stronger. Seemandhra, which is the combined area of Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra Pradesh districts, will also get the Special Category status for five years.

A 6-point development package is also on the cards for the region, the PM said in a statement amidst din in the House. Trinamool Congress MPs led By Derek O'Brien tore papers and threw at him as he made his speech. Congress leaders stepped forward and made a protective ring around him.

The session in the Rajya Sabha saw continuous protests with the House being adjourned six times since the Bill was tabled on Thursday afternoon.

BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu moved several amendments as the Bill was put to a voice vote at the end of the session. The TMC and the CPM, which were opposed to the Bill, refused to move amendments, confining themselves to protesting in the Well of the House. As the Bill was put to vote, CPIM MP Sitaram Yechury announced his party was staging a walkout.

As the Telangana Bill was adopted, celebrations began in the region. Telangana Rashtra Samithi leader KT Rama Rao said, "We are extremely happy. Seemandhra people don't need to worry. They will be treated with the same respect and protected."

Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said, "It's a gift to the people of Telangana. The BJP and the BSP also supported the Bill."

Not all were happy, however. Derek O'Brien said the government did not pay heed to the party's opposition. "We had given in writing the objection we had and the government did not want to hear us."

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Decks cleared for India's 29th state as Parliament passes Telangana Bill