5 Questions: MP K V P Ramchandra Rao’s take on special package for Andhra Pradesh

Why could the Bill not be taken up in the Rajya Sabha on Monday?

One of our members raised a point of order, quoting a rule to say that the House can take a decision, postpone other business and take up the AP Reorganisation Bill but the ruling party and the Chair did not agree. The ruling party is not supporting the Bill.

Why according to you is the BJP not supporting the Bill?

There is step-motherly treatment being meted out to AP for whatever reasons. They don’t want to pass it but they ultimately will have to. They have no other option.

You had also written to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in this regard on July 20. Has he replied?

Forget about a reply, I did not even get an acknowledgment from him.

You had earlier said Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu should support the Bill as he had strongly batted for a special package for Seemandhra.

Venkaiah Naidu is avoiding the Rajya Sabha. On Friday too, he had left the House early.

You tried to introduce the Bill in the Budget Session as well. What will be its fate? Are you confident of its passage?

Naturally I hope for the best. The bill will definitely be passed. There is no other way. They can only delay but not stop it.

Do you have enough support ?

Yes, we have the support of many parties. The DMK, RJD, Janta Dal, Samajwadi Party, CPI-M, CPI and TRS are all supporting it. The bill will become a reality.