9:20 am: BJP leaders meeting in Parliament
The political battle over Telangana is set to intensify today. Ahead of hectic parleys expected in Lok Sabha today, top BJP leaders are meeting inside LK Advani’s room in Parliament.
8:10 am: Andhra Pradesh CM may quit today
With the bill for formation of separate Telangana state set to come up for debate in Parliament on Tuesday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy is preparing to resign.
The Chief Minister will submit his resignation once the debate begins in Lok Sabha on Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill 2013, said sources close to the Chief Minister.
Kiran Reddy’s aides were on Tuesday busy shifting his personal belongings from his office at the secretariat and also from his official residence.
Kiran Reddy, who is strongly opposed to state’s bifurcation, on Monday night spoke to Chief Secretary PK Mohanty and Director General of Police B Prasada Rao, in what is believed to be his last meeting with the two top officials before submitting his resignation to the Governor.
The Chief Minister also reportedly issued orders, transferring some officials close to him in his office to different departments.
E Pratap Reddy, one of the state ministers from Seemandhra, said the Chief Minister would also float a new political party.
8:00 am: Lok Sabha to discuss Telangana bill
The bill for creating a Telangana state will be taken up for discussion in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday even as the Congress assured its leaders from Seemandhra of justice and the BJP said it was in favour of separate state but concerns of the region should be addressed.
Congress state chief Botsa Satyanarayana, meanwhile, appealed to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and chiefs of the TDP and YSR Congress to accompany him to Delhi for making last-ditch effort to stall the state’s division.
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Monday assured central ministers and party MPs from Seemandhra that justice would be done to their region while carving out separate Telangana state.