Centre’s shocker to AP, Telangana State

Increase in Assembly seats

New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir here on Wednesday clarified in Lok Sabha that there was no proposal at present to increase the number of Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

In reply to a question of TDP MP T Devender Goud, on whether the Home Ministry had sought the opinion of the Law Ministry in this regard and on whether the opinion of the Attorney General was sought and if so, how the Ministry was planning to go ahead in case of any reply, the Minister said an opinion was sought from the Law Ministry on whether Section 26 of the AP Reorganisation Act could be implemented amending the section itself without any amendment to the Article 170 of the Constitution. He further stated that it was also sought from the Ministry whether in case of conflict
there could be which one would prevail.

The Ministry also sought to know whether such an amendment would be sustainable. Hansraj Gangaram also clarified that the Attorney General had expressed his opinion thus: obviously the provisions of the Constitution would prevail over any provision of any Act of Parliament. Therefore, the Minister said, “no such proposal was under consideration".

This effectively puts to rest any speculation on the out of turn delimitation. It may be recalled that political circles were abuzz in both the States that the amendment could be carried out soon and this could lead to the political employment of many, particularly those who defected to the ruling parties in both the Telugu States.

It should be noted that a large scale migrations from the Opposition to the ruling party fold in these two States had taken place in the last two years provoking a bitter war of words. The MLAs and MLCs who shifted loyalties were reportedly promised party tickets in the next general elections as additional number of Assembly seats only meant a safe passage for all to power without entering into a conflict with the seniors.