File photo of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy.
Throwing a direct challenge at the Congress high command, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy today said he would ensure the defeat of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill 2013 when it comes up for passage in the state Assembly.
"We will certainly defeat the draft Bill when it is referred to the assembly. We will see how Parliament will pass it," the Chief Minister, who had been stoutly opposing the state's bifurcation, said.
"Realise your mistake and take back the decision to divide AP. Your decision is hurting the hearts of 75 per cent people of the state," the Chief Minister said, addressing a public meeting at Vijayawada this evening to mark the inauguration of an irrigation project on river Krishna.
"Don't split the state to serve someone's vested interests. The country and the state are permanent...not individuals," he said.
"If you are seeking to divide the state as per the demand of (TRS president) KCR or eyeing the support of (YSRC chief) Jagan, join them in the party and make them Chief Minister but keep the state united," Mr Kiran said in his hard-hitting speech.
He also suggested making (TDP chief) Chandrababu Naidu, who too reportedly favoured bifurcation, the Chief Minister.
Invoking the name of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Mr Kiran wanted everyone to recall her speech in Parliament when the demand for division of AP had come up in early 1970s.
"She wanted the state to remain united and tied a tight knot. It is sad Congress is now seeking to untie that knot," he observed.
Congress was axing the branch it was sitting on, he remarked, reminding the party about how the state had long been its strong support base.
"Is providing solid support to the party the folly of AP people?" he said.
Referring to the ongoing four-month-long agitation for united AP, Mr Kiran said "our Delhi elders have shut their eyes, ears and mouths."