In yet another first of its kind, President’s rule prevailing in the united Andhra Pradesh will be revoked partially on Monday to facilitate the swearing-in of a government in the newly-created Telangana State.
However, central rule will continue in the residual Andhra Pradesh till TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu takes charge as Chief Minister on June 8, 2014. Telangana would come into existence at the stroke of mid-night June 2.
According to sources a notification is expected to be any time now revoking President’s rule in Telangana to facilitate TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao to take charge as the first Chief Minister of the country’s 29th State.
President’s rule was imposed in Andhra Pradesh on March 1 after N. Kiran Kumar Reddy resigned as Chief Minister following the Parliament’s nod for bifurcation of the State to create separate Telangana.
Last week President Pranab Mukherjee appointed E.S.L. Narasimhan, Governor of Andhra Pradesh, to discharge the functions of the Governor of Telangana, in addition to his own duties until a “permanent arrangement” is made.
A Rashtrapati Bhavan communiqué said that the above appointment will take effect from the date he assumes charge of his office.
Though the communiqué states that Mr. Narasimhan has been appointed as to discharge functions of Governor of Telangana “until a permanent arrangement” is made, the Act under which Andhra Pradesh is being bifurcated envisages a common Governor for a period to be “determined” by the President.
The arrangement is necessitated for at least two reasons. Despite the bifurcation the linkages between the two states is likely to continue for several years as Hyderabad (which was the bone of contention) would be their common capital for maximum period of ten years to enable Andhra Pradesh to build its own capital. There is no precedent of this kind anywhere else in the country.
Secondly, the arrangement is meant to address the apprehensions of people of Seemandhra settled in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secundrabad about their safety. Though there is no precise estimate of the number of people from Seemandhra, it is estimated to be a big number.
The Act clearly specifies that the Governor shall have special responsibility for the security of life, liberty and property of all those who reside in twin cities of Hyderabad and Secundrabad. Hyderabad shall also be the common High Court for the State of Telangana and the State of Andhra Pradesh till a separate High Court for the State of Andhra Pradesh is established.
The Governor also met Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi and had a detailed discussion with him about the ongoing process of bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. He conveyed to him that all arrangements have been made for creation of Telangana.
