For Chief Ministers-designate of Telangana and successor State of Andhra Pradesh it will be an agonising wait till June 2, the appointed day for creation of the new States, to assume office.
Although the election results would be announced on May 16, the official notification from the Election Commission to constitute the 14th House would come after three days.
With Centre fixing June 2 as the appointed day, when Telangana and residuary AP become two separate entities, it is not possible for the single largest party that has the strength to form the government to start functioning.
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Till such time, Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan will oversee the day-to-day affairs of united Andhra Pradesh. Once the two States start functioning administratively, the Governor will issue a notification summoning the newly elected Houses. “This may not happen on June 2,” official sources told
Official sources said: “There shall be a popularly elected government in place but in this case, as the State is being divided on June 2, the Governor will continue to discharge his duties.” It was pointed out that unless a popular government took over, the President’s rule would continue.
The term of the 13th Assembly commenced on June 3, 2009, though results were announced on May 19 that year. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy was sworn in Chief Minister at Lal Bahadur Stadium much before the new Assembly commenced its sitting.
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It is understood that in all probability, the term of the new Assemblies would commence in first week of June. Before that, two Chief Ministers can assume office and constitute their respective Cabinets.
“Once the members are administered oath by the Pro-tem Speaker, the party that assumes power will hold its legislature party meeting where the leader is elected,” sources pointed out.
Meanwhile, Legislature Secretariat is racing against time to make two Legislative Assemblies and Councils ready for the historic day any time after June 2. Officials said the present Assembly building and the old Legislative Assembly, which has been occasionally used for important occasions, have been readied.
The existing Council building will be allotted to a State while a makeshift Council is coming up in Jubilee Hall. “As Jubilee Hall is a heritage structure, the Roads and Buildings Department has been directed not to take up any civil works on the premises. The imposing hall will have an oval-shaped sitting for the members,” officials pointed out.
The present Telugu Desam Legislature Party (TDLP) office has been identified as chambers for one of the Chief Ministers in addition to the existing office inside the Assembly building. The Speaker’s office adjacent to the old Assembly building would be allotted to one presiding officer of the State. The present ministerial chambers in the new Assembly building would be divided among the two States.