As TS Protests, Rajnath Singh Calls For Meeting Over ‘Advisory’ On 18 Aug

Reacting to vociferous protests from TRS MPs in Lok Sabha over the latest letter sent by Centre to Telangana Govt,, the Home Minister Rajnath Singh said  that what the Centre has issued is an advisory and not an imposition on the State.

He claimed that the Centre’s ‘advisory’ was in line with Section 8 of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, which gives “special responsibility” to the Governor to protect life, liberty and property of those living in common capital of Hyderabad.

The Minister said the section specifies that it will be the responsibility of Governor to protect residents of common capital of Hyderabad after due consultations with Council of Ministers of Telangana. He added that the Centre is aware of the the need to maintain healthy relations with States and that the latest directive is not out of line. 

He then convened a meeting with TRS Lok Sabha leader A.P. Jitender Reddy and deputy leader B. Vinod Kumar in New Delhi on August 18 to discuss the issue and the concerns.

Earlier, TRS MPs raised slogans in the Lok Sabha to protest against the Centre’s directive to the State government giving special powers to the Governor over law and order in Hyderabad, terming it a Constitutional violation.

The TRS MPs said the Union Home Ministry almost imposed Governor’s rule in Hyderabad with it’s letter, taking away State’s powers. Jithender Reddy said thatinstead of giving support to the 10-week old Telangana State, the Centre is issuing harsh directions.

AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi also joined the protests pointing that the Centre’s move is unconstitutional.