Hyderabad, Jan 30 (IANS): Leaders from Seemandhra Thursday claimed that Andhra Pradesh legislature unanimously rejected the bill for formation of a separate Telangana state.

Contrary to the claim by their counterparts from Telangana that completion of the debate on the bill in the legislature cleared the way for formation of Telangana state, leaders from Seemandhra (Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra) said passing of the official resolutions rejecting the bill was the victory of people opposing bifurcation.

Finance Minister Anam Ramnarayan Reddy said since Telangana legislators opposed division in both the houses, the official resolutions were adopted by voice vote. "The bill has been rejected in tune with the aspirations of the people," he said.

Legislative Affairs Minister S. Sailajanath, who is heading Seemandhra leaders opposing bifurcation, said both the houses rejected the bill and this had become part of the record.

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader P. Keshav hailed the passing of resolutions rejecting the bill. He termed it as a historic development.

"Though we also had given notices to move resolution for rejecting the bill, we are happy that the official resolutions were passed with voice vote," he said.

Keshav said since the resolution has appealed to the President Pranab Mukherjee not to refer the bill to the parliament, he hoped that the process for bifurcation of the state would come to a halt.