Taking part in the ongoing debate on the draft Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill-2013 in the Assembly this evening, Kiran, amidst disruption by Telangana MLAs, said it was his misfortune that he had to speak on the bifurcation issue.
"Anybody would love to become Chief Minister. But it's my misfortune that I have become CM and got to speak on the (bifurcation) issue."
Kiran, who had openly opposed the Congress Working Committee's July 30 resolution to split AP and create a new state of Telangana, spoke on the floor of the House what he had been saying in public in the last seven months.
The Chief Minister decided to speak on the Bill today itself as suspense continued on whether or not the President would allow more time, beyond January 23, for the House to return the draft legislation with its views.
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Though it is customary for the CM to speak after members of various parties and also the Leader of Opposition have completed their speeches, Kiran began his address despite Chandrababu Naidu not taking part in the debate. Naidu, the TDP President, is Leader of Opposition in the Assembly.
Legislators from Telangana disrupted the CM's speech, wanting to know in what capacity was he speaking. Panchayat Raj Minister K Jana Reddy raised the issue and wanted the CM to clarify whether the latter was opposing the Bill in his capacity as Leader of the House or as Kiran Reddy, the MLA.
Kiran replied he would give a detailed explanation why he was opposing the Bill. Not satisfied with the reply, TRS MLAs trooped into the Well demanding a clarification.
Jana Reddy then said if Kiran was opposing the Bill as Leader of the House, they (legislators from Telangana) would not be party to it.