As the Opposition parties in Andhra Pradesh — the Telugu Desam Party, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, and the Bharatiya Janata Party — are accusing Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan of converting the Raj Bhavan to indulge in “politics,” the latter had a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here on Saturday and explained the situation in the State in view of the Justice B.N. Srikrishna Committee report.
It is learnt that he has also given a report on the law and order situation in the State, besides analysing the report of the Committee, which had recommended providing more economical, social and political powers to the Telangana region in a united Andhra Pradesh as the “best option” forward.
This is significant, as the Opposition parties, particularly the TRS, had alleged that the Governor, a former Director of the Intelligence Bureau, had influenced the Srikrishna Committee to give a report against creation of Telangana.
Coming out of the meeting with Dr. Singh, the Governor refused to say anything about his discussions. He also refused to comment when asked whether President's rule would be imposed in the State.
Earlier on Friday, the Governor met Congress president and National Advisory Council chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Home Minister P. Chidambaram and Ms. Gandhi's political secretary Ahmed Patel on the likely consequences of implementing the sixth option of the report.
It is pertinent to note that the Governor is taking an active role and calling the shots in administration of the State, though Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy holds the office. Mr. Reddy not only remained silent during an all-party meeting to discuss the Committee report, but also not commented so far on the recommendations.
