No House vote on T, it will be defeated: Kiran

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Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy on Monday categorically ruled out moving a resolution on Telangana statehood in the Assembly as demanded by the TRS, as it would get defeated in view of the split among legislators on regional lines.

On other issues, the Chief Minister said the government would not bear part of the LPG gas subsidy. It would not seek an increase in the LPG quota or a reduction of VAT on diesel, the Chief Minister said while speaking with mediapersons in the Assembly lobby.

On adopting a resolution on Telangana, the CM said, “We are not for it. I told the TRS MLAs. It needs the support of at least 174 members. It will be counterproductive if the resolution is defeated on the floor of the House due to lack of strength.” He stated that no Whip could be issued for a resolution on Telangana in view of the difference of opinion in the three regions. “The issue was there during Mrs Indira Gandhi’s tenure and even during Jawaharlal Nehru’s time. The government has to protect the interests of all sections of people in the three regions and take an appropriate decision,” he added.

CM not to push for more LPG cylinders
On the power front, Mr Reddy said the government was striving hard to bridge the demand and supply gap, adding that tripping of three generating units in the past two days had added to the problem. “We aren’t in a financial position to bear part of the LPG gas subsidy. We stand by the Centre's decision. There will also be no change or reduction in VAT on diesel too,” he said.

Supporting the Centre’s decision to allow 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail and other economic measures, Mr Reddy said AP welcomed the decision and he had personally written to the Prime Minister, supporting the reforms. Asked whether the state government would seek an increase in the LPG quota from the present six to eight or more as demanded by some parties and organisations, the CM replied in the negative.

Dismissing protests by the Opposition in and outside Assembly on power, Telangana and other issues, he said that the Centre was working on the Telangana issue which was 50 years old and a “sensitive” one. Dismissing protests by the Opposition on power, Telangana and other issues, he said that the Centre was working on the T-issue.