AP Council comes into existence after 2 decades

Hyderabad, Apr 2 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh today again got a bicameral legislature with the revival of Council after a gap of 22 years.

Joyous scenes were witnessed in the council at Public Gardens with hundreds of supporters shouting slogans.

The council was abolished 22 years ago after the Telugu Desam Party, founded by actor-turned-politician N T Rama Rao, stormed to power in 1983.

Mr Rama Rao got the Upper House abolished through a resolution by the Assembly as he was constantly criticised by senior members of the Congress, which had majority in the House, because of his inexperience. The Upper House returned several Bills to the Assembly for reconsideration.

The Congress, in its election manifesto, had promised to revive the Council and got a resolution passed by the assembly soon after coming back to power in 2004. It took three years for the party to fulfil its promise.

Enthusiasm was witnessed in the surroundings of the Legislative Council where 64 new members, including 12 nominated by the Governor, were sworn in amid tight security arrangements.

The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and his cabinet colleagues.

Those sworn-in included, former CWC member M Lakshmi Devi, AICC Secretary B Sudhakara Reddy and former ministers Mohd Jani, Paladugu Venkata Rao and Kanumuri Bapiraju. Dr P V Ranga Rao, son of former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao, who was nominated to the Upper House also took the oath.

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