There has been a lot of clamor over the issue of handing over ‘law and order’ in Hyderabad to the Governor!
For obvious reasons, while the Seemandhra people welcome this, the TRS government is dead set against it. But what does the Constitution say about it?
According to the law, Governor’s rule is valid only if there is President’s rule in the State. Since there is no President’s rule in AP or Telangana, Governor cannot be made responsible.
So, even if the Union Home Ministry decides to hand over powers to the Governor, they may lose in Court.
Having said that, it is equally important to understand that Hyderabad is the common capital for both AP and Telangana for a period of ten years and that the formation of Telangana itself has been done by amendments to the Constitution.
The people of Seemandhra do not feel secure in Hyderabad under the TRS dispensation.
Since Hyderabad is their capital too for ten years, it makes sense to have a neutral authority dispensing justice for these ten years. There is no harm in creating an amendment in the better interests of the Seemandhra people.
The TRS on the other hand believes that jurisdiction of the Governor over Hyderabad is a severe dilution of their autonomy.
More importantly, they believe that governor’s rule would be the first step towards making Hyderabad a union territory.
If that indeed happens, their fight for a separate Telangana would have been in vain! Hyderabad is a melting pot of various cultures and communities who do not really subscribe to the ‘Telangana’ cause.
While KCR’s reasons are a mix of politics and rationale, Seemandhra concerns are genuine. But then KCR has only himself to blame for that!
If it comes to an amendment, Parliament is going to play a major role again. That explains perhaps why KCR is cozying up to the BJP of late.
