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What Did Rajnath Tell TRS MPs?

What Did Rajnath Tell TRS MPs?

Governor ESL Narasimhan being given special powers has become a contentious issue with TRS taking strong offence to the directive passed by the central government.

As per the directive, ESL Narasimhan, who happens to be the common Governor for both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, will be vested with special powers for maintenance of law and order.

However, replying to a question by TRS members in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh made it clear that they were merely following guidelines as specified in the 2014 Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.

But the TRS MPs have once again met Rajnath Singh and questioned him about the special powers vested in Governor.

Their argument was that Telangana was like any other state and that vesting such special powers was not appropriate. After listening patiently to their argument, Rajnath Singh reiterated that the Centre will abide by the guidelines. Well, it goes without saying that he was referring to the AP Reorganisation Act.

Under the Act, the Governor has been vested with special powers including the law and order situation in the joint capital.

While this happened during the term of Manmohan Singh, the subsequent governments will have to follow the guidelines in the Act.

Of course, the governments can make some changes depending on the situation. But bifurcation is a sensitive issue. Though bifurcation has taken place, making changes to the Act might give rise to new problems. In fact, it could precipitate animosities that are slowly subsiding.

Recently, there was a huge hue and cry regarding the seven mandals that might submerge due to the Polavaram project. The government did not table a bill, but it passed an ordinance which was strongly opposed by leaders. However, eventually, the matter subsided.

Now, making changes to the 2014 Reorganisation Act will once again give rise to a tricky situation. But if one argues as to how the Centre can vest special powers in Governor according to the Act, then it has to be remembered that Telangana was formed due to the very Act they are now questioning.

If the TRS leaders respect the Act that facilitated the formation of Telangana, then they must also respect various other aspects under the Act. And this is precisely what Rajnath Singh is said to have explained to the TRS MPs.

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