BHUBANESWAR, November 24: YSR Congress president Jaganmohan Reddy met Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal president Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneswar on Sunday to seek support in favour of his campaign against division of Andhra Pradesh and creation of Telangana State. And he emerged successful.
The Article 3 of the Constitution, which allows the Centre to create new States, should be amended to prevent division of States as per the whims and fancies of those in New Delhi, Mr. Reddy told journalists after his meeting with Mr. Patnaik.
Before a decision is taken to divide a State a unanimous resolution should have been passed in support of such proposal in the State Assembly, Mr. Reddy observed. The YSR Congress president further said that at least two-third of the members should support such a resolution in both the State Assembly as well as Parliament.
“If Article 3 is not amended, this can lead to division of States where democracy will be killed in broad daylight,” Mr. Reddy said after the meeting.
Mr. Reddy, who arrived at the Biju Patnaik Airport here at 9.45 am, met Mr. Patnaik at the latter’s residence Naveen Nivas, situated at a close distance from the airport.
Extending full support to Mr. Reddy’s stand on the Telangana issue, Mr. Patnaik said that such a proposal should have been passed in the State Assembly.
“Division of State is a political, social, economic and emotional issue. In case of Andhra Pradesh, the people of the State should have been consulted and a consensus developed before any decision is taken. It should not be done for narrow political, electoral interest. A sensible political dialogue is missing in the whole process,” said the Chief Minister after discussing the issue with Mr. Reddy and his some other YSR Congress leaders. The meeting lasted for about 15 minutes.
Mr. Reddy had recently met West Bengal Chief Minister and president of Trinamool Congress in Kolkata seeking her party’s support in Parliament against the Telangana reorganization Bill.
Responding to a question, Mr. Patnaik clarified that no discussion took place between him and Mr. Reddy about the proposed Third Front. “We have a very strong relationship and it will continue,” observed Mr. Reddy, while thanking Mr. Patnaik extending support to his party’s campaign.
