Modi's remarks highly objectionable: Keshava Rao

TRS Rajya Sabha MP K Keshava Rao demanded an unconditional apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the people of Telangana for hurting their sentiments with his comments on the AP Reorganisation Bill. The TRS MP asked the Prime Minister to withdraw his statements.

The Prime Minister in his speech in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday said Andhra Pradesh bifurcation was done in a shameful manner, Keshava Rao said, adding this was highly objectionable.

“Once a Bill is passed, there is no second thought as it becomes a law. The Prime Minister has challenged the procedure and proceedings of the Parliament. He has lost the confidence of Telangana people with his remarks,” Keshava Rao said, addressing media persons in New Delhi on Thursday.

The TRS MP said generally privilege motion was not moved against the Prime Minister as he was the Leader of the House. But here, the Prime Minister himself was questioning the proceedings, citing mikes were shut and no discussions were held on the AP Reorganisation Bill, he said. 

“In case of any disturbances, doors are shut and lobbies are cleared to set the House in order. This was done many times in the past. The AP Reorganisation Bill was passed after several discussions and



voting,” pointed out Keshava Rao. In reply to a question that in the event of Rajya Sabha Chairman not accepting the privilege motion, the TRS MP said they (BJP) have the numbers. “But if Prime Minister respects Parliament, he should tender an apology to Telangana people.

However, people have now taken up the issue seriously,” said Keshava Rao. TRS Floor Leader in Lok Sabha Nama Nageswara Rao said MPs from other political parties from the State have to take up the responsibility to oppose the humiliation of the Telangana people. They should question the Centre’s discrimination towards Telangana and failure to fulfill the assurances made under AP Reorganisation Act and also in the latest budget, he said.

Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao and Telangana MPs had personally urged the Central government to allocate funds and sanction projects but they were not considered, he said at the press conference. 

“Irrespective of Centre’s support, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao was developing Telangana on all fronts. Unable to digest the State’s progress, the Prime Minister appears to have made these comments, which were irrelevant after eight years,” said Nageswara Rao.