Telangana bill passed

Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the controversial bill that seeks to create Telangana as the 29th state of the Indian Union bifurcating southern state of Andhra Pradesh. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2014 was adopted by voice vote along with several official amendments, with the support of the main opposition BJP amid din, strong protests by members from Seemandhra region and unprecedented TV blackout, according to media reports in India. There was no live telecast by Lok Sabha TV for 90 minutes during clause by clause consideration of the bill before its passage. Many members protested the way the bill was passed in the din, saying it was against the democratic norms and a “black day” in the country’s democracy, according to a news agency.