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LequteMan
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Asia- The Chief Minister of India's Andhra Pradesh resigned on Wednesday to protest against a bill in parliament for the creation of a new state within his state's boundaries.
Kiran Kumar Reddy of India's ruling Congress Party submitted his resignation as the bill was scheduled to be debated in the Upper House.
There were repeated adjournments in the house as some lawmakers protested against the controversial bill to create a new state of Telangana.
The lawmakers raised placards and walked in front of the speaker's chair.
The lower house passed the bill on Tuesday amid chaotic scenes and little debate.
The ruling party had violated all constitutional norms by pushing the bill through parliament in an "undemocratic manner," Reddy said in the state capital, Hyderabad.
The demand for a separate Telangana state dates back half a century.
Shops, businesses, colleges and schools were closed and state-run buses were not running due to a strike in the 13 administrative districts that would not form part of the new state.
The regional Congress party called the strike in the Seemandhra region to protest against the manner in which the bill was approved in the lower house, the report said.
If the bill goes through, it would lead to the creation of the Telangana state, comprising 10 of Andhra Pradesh's 23 districts.
The city of Hyderabad, a major technology hub, would be a shared capital for both states for a period not exceeding 10 years.
If the bill is amended in the upper house, it would need to go back to the lower house for approval before being sent to the president.
The Federal Government is keen on approving the bill in the current session of parliament, which is scheduled to end on Friday.
It is believed that could bring gains in general elections scheduled to be held by May.
Kiran Kumar Reddy of India's ruling Congress Party submitted his resignation as the bill was scheduled to be debated in the Upper House.
There were repeated adjournments in the house as some lawmakers protested against the controversial bill to create a new state of Telangana.
The lawmakers raised placards and walked in front of the speaker's chair.
The lower house passed the bill on Tuesday amid chaotic scenes and little debate.
The ruling party had violated all constitutional norms by pushing the bill through parliament in an "undemocratic manner," Reddy said in the state capital, Hyderabad.
The demand for a separate Telangana state dates back half a century.
Shops, businesses, colleges and schools were closed and state-run buses were not running due to a strike in the 13 administrative districts that would not form part of the new state.
The regional Congress party called the strike in the Seemandhra region to protest against the manner in which the bill was approved in the lower house, the report said.
If the bill goes through, it would lead to the creation of the Telangana state, comprising 10 of Andhra Pradesh's 23 districts.
The city of Hyderabad, a major technology hub, would be a shared capital for both states for a period not exceeding 10 years.
If the bill is amended in the upper house, it would need to go back to the lower house for approval before being sent to the president.
The Federal Government is keen on approving the bill in the current session of parliament, which is scheduled to end on Friday.
It is believed that could bring gains in general elections scheduled to be held by May.
