225 legislators will oppose Andhra division: Rajagopal. Cong. MP

Mangalore Today

Hydrabad, Sec.13: Congress MP from Vijayawada L. Rajagopal said Sunday that 225 Andhra Pradesh legislators would oppose the resolution to bifurcate the state for Telangana if the motion is put to vote in the state assembly.

Stating that the decision to initiate the process for formation of a separate state was taken by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and not by the Congress leadership, he demanded that the resolution be moved in the assembly and members be allowed to cast their vote according to their conscience.

’In the 294-member assembly, 225 members will oppose the resolution,’ Rajagopal asserted while addressing a news conference here.

The industrialist MP claimed that 50 legislators from Telangana besides 175 from Andhra and Rayalaseema regions would vote against the resolution.

This was Rajagopal’s first public appearance after he submitted his resignation to the speaker three days ago. He also announced his plans to launch a hunger strike in Hyderabad to oppose the proposed formation of Telangana state.

Rajagopal, one of the richest politicians in the country, said there would be a by-election to his Lok Sabha constituency as he had submitted his resignation and added that he would not contest again.

’I have submitted my resignation letter to the speaker and I can’t disclose what transpired between me and the speaker as I am bound by the constitution,’ he said.

Rajagopal also requested the Congress leadership to field a candidate from Telangana region in the by-elections to prove that people wanted to keep the state united.

Rajagopal denied that he was opposing formation of a separate Telangana as his Lanco Group of industries had made huge investments in Hyderabad.

’Now I have decided to join the movement (against division of the state). Hyderabad (which is proposed to be the capital of Telangana, when created) is the mother and the 22 districts of Andhra Pradesh are her children. We will not betray our mother,’ he said.