Governor E S L Narasimhan, presently operating for two Telugu states – Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, managed to get extension for some more time, albeit temporarily. But it is certain that he would have to step down sooner or later, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi finds some time to decide on the new Governor.
However, it is learnt that Modi had asked the opinion of both Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his Telangana counterpart K Chandrasekhar Rao on whether they had any choices for the new Governor.
He gave them some time to decide, since he did not want the chief ministers to have any confrontation with the new incumbent.
Sources said KCR suggested to the Prime Minister to retain Narasimhan for another term, since he has the better understanding of the political and administrative situations in both the states.
This is really surprising, as during the agitation for separate Telangana state, KCR used to accuse Narasimhan of being anti-Telangana, as he strongly opposed the bifurcation. But after the formation of Telangana state, Narasimhan changed completely and he has become a good friend of KCR, so much so that whenever the latter comes to Raj Bhavan, he would touch Narasimhan’s feet.
On the other hand, Narasimhan used to be a hot favourite of Naidu till a couple of years ago, but not anymore. Though Naidu has not expressed any displeasure over Narasimhan openly, he is said to be of the view that the Governor was favouring Telangana more than than AP.
Narasimhan has refused to interfere in the law and order control in Hyderabad, nor has he favoured AP in sharing of water or common properties in Hyderabad.
So, Naidu is learnt to have suggested that both the states have separate Governors, though the AP Reorganisation Act says the Governor would be common for both the states for a period of 10 years.
