The Telugu Desam-dominated Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council on Tuesday adopted a resolution opposing Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy’s proposal of three capitals. After a day’s play, the Council began a debate on the controversial issue under Rule 71 and passed a resolution with 27 members in support of the TD, 13 opposed and nine opposed to being voted out.
Remarkably, two TD MLCs, Pothula Sunitha and Shivnath Reddy changed sides and voted against the resolution. While another TD member, D. Manikya Varprasad, resigned his membership and from the party before the vote. Two TD members, Samantha-Kamini and Satrukharala Vijayaram Raju avoided voting on health grounds.
The Council, which had already taken the three capitals bill and the APCRDA repeal bill for consideration, will resume debate on the bills on Wednesday. However, uncertainty over the fate of the two Bills in the Council and the follow-up action that the government might need if the capital transferred continued to rest the ruling party.
TD’s strategy has been to delay the process in the Council and force the government to adjourn both houses. In such a situation, the government will have to adopt the ordinance.
When the related bill is still under consideration of the Council, it will be difficult for the governor to implement the ordinance. Even if a law repealed, it would come under judicial scrutiny, senior TD leader and party leader in the Council, Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, told Deccan Chronicle.
On the other hand, the ruling YSRC is working hard to ensure the passage of the Bills in the Council. It was partially successful in making the President of the Council consider the Bills before starting the debate under Rule 71. Efforts are on to pass the bill.