Telangana clears first hurdle, Hyderabad cheers

Pro-Telangana activists danced, burst crackers and shed tears of joy as their long-cherished dream about the creation of a separate state came within a touching distance of reality. 

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They took to the streets of Hyderabad to express their joy after the Lok Sabha cleared the Telangana Bill on Tuesday.

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The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha with 38 amendments and it was adopted by a voice vote.

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The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance plans to table the Bill in the Rajya Sabha immediately.

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Pro-Telangana organisations -- including the Telangana Rahstra Samiti and the Student’s Joint Action Committee of the Osmania University -- hailed the passage of the Bill. 

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The YSR Congress, led by Jagan Mohan Reddy, condemned the passage of the Bill and called for a bandh across the state on Wednesday.

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Both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party supported the Bill, while the Trinamool Congress and Janata Dal-United members walked out of the House in protest. 

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The telecast of the proceedings was stopped on the orders of Speaker Meira Kumar to ensure that none of the Members of Parliament used television coverage to cause chaos and drama. 

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