KCR fast & furious

Telangana people’s self-respect at stake

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao may go on fast in New Delhi if the Centre succumbs to the pressure from the AP government and insists on taking away the law and order powers of Telangana. According to sources, KCR is said to have given this indication during a meeting he had with Chief Secretary Rajeev Sharma and other officials late on Monday night. He termed the move as a question of ‘self-respect’ of the people of Telangana.

“I will not keep quiet, if such a decision is taken by the Centre. I will mobilise the support of Chief Ministers’ of other States. We will build a national movement on the issue and go to court,” he was quoted as telling the officials. Expressing his displeasure over the controversy and the reports that the Attorney-General had advised the Governor that he could implement Section 8, KCR reportedly said, “We will make this an election issue in Bihar.

If states like Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh start demanding new powers in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, who will keep quiet,” he is understood to have remarked. He is also said to have directed the party rank and file to be prepared to launch an agitation to oppose any such move.

Apart from speaking to some CMs, he is also said to be in touch with some national leaders. KCR who was with the Governor for about 90 minutes is learnt to have expressed his resentment over reports about Centre asking him (Governor) to take charge of law and order in Hyderabad. Rao, the sources said, made it clear that such a proposal was not acceptable to the Telangana government.

He reportedly told the Governor there was no need to invoke Section 8 of the AP Reorganisation Act as law and order situation in Hyderabad was under control. As per Section 8, the responsibility of the Governor shall extend to matters such as law and order and internal security in the common capital area.

The section also specifies that in ‘discharge’ of the functions, the Governor shall, after consulting the Council of Ministers of the State of Telangana, exercise his individual judgement on the action to be taken. The Chief Minister reportedly asked his colleagues and party leaders to prepare for any developments and even told them to brace up for Telangana Aatma Gourava Sabha (Self-respect) if needed. The TRS party is also gearing up giving a bandh call.

The TRS secretary general K Keshav Rao and TBJP also said that it was all much ado about nothing. Keshav Rao said Centre had not sent any direction to the Governor. The TPCC also expressed its opposition to Section 8. Telangana Political JAC chairman Prof Kodandaram said the people of Telangana would not keep quiet if the Andhra leaders tried to dominate Telangana by bending some sections of the Act.

On the other hand, raising the political heat, the AP government reiterated its demand that Section 8 be implemented. AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu who held an emergency meeting with some ministers and officials said that Attorney General’s reported advise was a positive development in their favour. Naidu is learnt to have told the ministers that they should continue to put pressure on Centre on this issue.

Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, AP Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said that the “TRS and several of those who supported it had celebrated when the Reorganisation Bill was passed, claiming that they were part of making the Act.”But, when legal opinion is understood to have been given by the Attorney General, the highest law officer of the country, TRS government is opposing the same, he said.

By:V Ramu Sarma