Amid a raging row between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on various issues, Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, who is in charge of both States, on Friday met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Secretary L.C. Goyal.
Mr. Narasimhan was reportedly summoned by the Central government to discuss his pro-active role in defusing tension between the two States. In a one- and-a-half hour meeting with the Home Minister and Home Secretary, he is understood to have discussed Section 8 of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act over which the two States are locked in a bitter tussle.
Mr. Narasimhan, who arrived on Thursday evening, earlier held talks with Mr. Goyal to brief him on the latest developments in the cash-for-vote scam and the alleged phone tapping by the Telangana government on which the Andhra Pradesh government has set up a Special Investigation Team.
The Governor’s visit to Delhi is significant in view of the Attorney General of India’s reported advice to him to exercise powers under Section 8 and monitor the probe into the cash-for-vote scam.
Capital row
The AG had reportedly told the Governor that he could summon police chiefs of the two States and ask them to report to him in the case citing Section 8.
Under the Act, Hyderabad would remain the common capital of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for a period of ten years (from June 2, 2014) after which it would become part of Telangana.
The A.P. government has insisted on implementation of Section 8 ever since A. Revanth Reddy, Telugu Desam Party MLA of Telangana, was arrested by the Telangana ACB for allegedly offering a bribe to a nominated MLA, Elvis Stephenson, to vote in favour of the TDP MLC nominee during the Telangana Council polls on June 1. Telangana is opposing it on the ground that Hyderabad is an integral part of Telangana and that law and order is a State subject.
