Withdraw order on governor's special powers: TRS MPs

Telangana's ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) Thursday again urged the central government to withdraw its orders granting special powers to the governor over law and order in Hyderabad, the common capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for 10 years.

TRS MPs led by party general secretary K. Keshava Rao called on union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, and complained that the circular issued by the union home ministry early this month is against the spirit of federalism.

The delegation said the circular, which suggested various norms to vest special powers with the governor, had gone beyond Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014.

The TRS leaders said under section 8 of the act, the governor has to act on the advice of the council of ministers.

Keshava Rao said the giving powers to the governor not granted by the Constitution amount to usurping the powers of the state government.

Rajnath Singh, however, denied that the central government is acting against the federal spirit. He said the circular was issued in accordance with Andhra Pradesh Bifurcation Act.

The TRS MPs met the minister a day after E. S. L. Narasimhan, who is the governor of both the states, called on him. The governor and the home minister believed to have discussed ways to avoid confrontation between the centre and the state government over the issue.

The governor also briefed Rajnath Singh on the law and order situation in Hyderabad, especially in the wake of household survey conducted by the TRS government across the state Tuesday. Narasimhan explained the steps taken by the government to allay the apprehensions created by the survey in the minds of Andhra Pradesh people living in Hyderabad.

The Telangana government has already refused to implement the circular sent by the union home ministry on Aug 7 with regard to special powers to governor. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao also sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to immediately rescind the orders.

The TRS MPs raised the issue in parliament and had also met Rajnath Singh in this connection Aug 11.