Telangana Bill: RS adjouned, no concensus on amendments

Hyderabad/New Delhi, Feb 19: The Telangana Bill will be taken up by the Rajya Sabha, the upper House of the parliament today. The Bill as passed by the Lok Sabha yesterday through voice vote even as many legislators from Seemandhra protested in the House.

Follow the updates here:

5.03 pm: Rajya Sabha adjourned till tomorrow.

The Telangana Bill is likely to be taken up tomorrow.

4.54 pm: Government agrees to BJP's concerns

The Government agrees to BJP's concern but says that there is no going back to Lok Sabha. There was no concensus on the amendments.

4.09 pm: Telangana BIll in Rajya Sabha shortly

3:12 pm: What happened in Parliament yesterday was 'disgraceful', says Kiran Kumar Reddy.

3:00pm: Heated verbal spat in Rajya Sabha

2:30 pm: House adjourned again after MPs disrupt proceedings

2:12 pm: Trinamool MPs set to meet President on Telangana issue

Trinamoon Congress legislators, who had voted against Telangana Bill in Lok Sabha, will meet President Pranab Mukherjee today, sources said. (

2:04 pm: Protests continue in Rajya Sabha

Protests over Telangana Bill continues in the upper House of the parliament. The TDP MP Ramesh who manhandled the House secretary defended his act and refused to apologise.

12:44 pm: President's rule is imminent in AP

Union minister Jairam Ramesh told a Telugu news paper that President's rule will be imposed in Andhra Pradesh very soon and Loksabha and assembly elections will be held simultaneously in the state.

Governor Narsimhan accepts CM Kiran Kumar Reddy's resignation

Governor has accepted Reddy's resignation and reportedly, Reddy has refused to head the caretaker government. The Uniion cabinet is meeting today evening to discuss the situation in AP.

12:30 pm: CPI to back T-Bill

The Communist Party of India has vowed to support the Telangana Bill in Rajya Sabha today.

"The CPI has taken a stand in support of separate Telangana state. In fact, we had a series of discussions within our party in Andhra Pradesh and on national level. Since the Lok Sabha passed the bill. It is going to be taken in the Rajya Sabha. Our party will support it,"said party leader D Raja to DNA.

12:20 pm: Rajya Sabha adjourned again

The upper House of the parliament was adjourned shortly after the proceedings resumed. A TDP MP pushed the House secretary general and a high drama ensued.

12:00 am: BJP raises Lok Sabha TV blackout issue, House adjourned again

BJP raises Lok Sabha TV blackout issue in Rajya Sabha as the House proceedings resumed.

11:23 am: Its final, Reddy steps down !

Andhra Pradesh CM Kiran Kumar Reddy stepped down and quit Congress party in protest. Sources say that Kiran will float a new regional party soon. Reportedly, 13 legislators have extended support to Reddy. (Read more)

11:00 am: Rajya Sabha proceedings adjourned till 12 pm over uproar on Telangana

10:30 am: BJP to move amendments in RS

BJP will move at least 10 amendments on Telangana Bill in Rajya Sabha, said sources.

If the Rajya Sabha proceedings are not telecasted live on Rajya Sabha TV, there will be no debate, warns BJP leaders.

10:00 am: BJP to raise blackout issue in RS today

Sources said that BJP is likely to take up Lok Sabha TV blackout issue in Rajya Sabha today. Leader of opposition in RS, Arun Jaitley will raise the issue in the House. A crucial party meet to discuss this issue is underway.

9:55 am: Kiran to meet governor

Andhra Pradesh chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy is likely to meet state governor at 11:45 am today to submit his resignation, said sources. The CM will meet some of his Cabinet colleagues and legislators from Seemandhra region before he addresses a press conference at 10.45 AM, sources close to him said. He will then proceed to Raj Bhavan to hand over his resignation to Governor E S L Narasimhan.

9:30 am : Lok Sabha orchestrated the TV blackout

The decision to suspend live telecast of Lok Sabha session during Telangana Bill voting session came from Lok Sabha secretariat, reveals parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath to Indian Express. A probe has been ordered into the 80-minute media blackout which has been condemned by the opposition party leaders.

Here is the official record of Lok Sabha proceedings during the blackout.

8:33 am: Kiran set to resign

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy is set to quit on Wednesday to protest the passing of the Telangana Bill in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Reddy will hold a press conference at 10.45 am where he is likely to announce his decision.

Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram had told CNN-IBN in an interview that the AP Chief Minister has crossed the 'lakshman rekha' with his protests against the T-Bill. "The party has been more than tolerant and indulgent towards him", Chidambaram said.

8:30 am: Jagan calls for Bandh

YSR Congress chief Jagan Mohan Reddy, has called for a bandh across Andhra Pradesh today.

Jagan called it a black day in the history of the country and appealed for bandh in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday. "It's a black day for Indian democracy," said Reddy after Lok Sabha cleared the Bill by a voice vote.

Celebrations have already began in Andhra Pradesh capital Hyderabad to welcome Telangana, which would be the 29th state in India. Meanwhile Andhra Pradesh chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy is set to resign today in protest. Also, YSR chief Jagan Mohan Reddy has called for an Andhra Bandh today. Many legislators and ministers from the state have already submitted their resignation. (Read: Telangana Bill passed in Lok Sabha behind closed doors)

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