Opposition makes strong pitch for Prez rule in Telangana

​Hyderabad: The opposition parties on Tuesday called for President’s rule in the State in view of “abuse of Constitution and the powers” by the ruling party. Leaders of Congress, Telugu Desam, Telangana Jana Samithi and Communist Party of India met Governor ESL Narasimhan at Raj Bhavan and submitted a memorandum in this regard. They wanted the Governor to recommend for President’s rule in the State to “save democracy”. 

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president N Uttam Kumar Reddy, former leader of opposition in Assembly K Jana Reddy, working president of Telangana Congress Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Telugu Desam party president L Ramana, Telangana Jana Samithi president M Kodandaram, party leader Dileep, Communist Party of India State secretary Chada Venkat Reddy were among the delegation that called on the Governor. Addressing the media later, TD president Ramana said that as the ruling party has been indulging in abuse of power to suppress the voices of opposition parties, they have demanded the Governor to recommend for President’s rule. 

He said that they would also meet the President to put forward their demand. Alleging that the ruling party has been trying to take away the voting rights of 20 lakh new voters, he said that a delegation of all parties of the State, excluding TRS and BJP would be taken to the President. They would also meet leaders of national parties and explain the attitude of TRS government. 

Ramana said that the constitutional bodies were also being influenced by the TRS, and the Chief Minister was trying to gain by colluding with the BJP government at the Centre.  TPCC president Uttam Kumar Reddy said that they have demanded the government to create an atmosphere in the State which would allow for free and fair elections to the Assembly. He alleged that the Election Commission of India, the Centre and TRS have come together in suppressing the rights of the people. 

He said that the ECI has changed the schedule of revision of voter lists to benefit the ruling party. Though it has given time till January 4, 2019 for the registration of new voters who have achieved an age of 18 years by that time, the schedule was compressed to deny the opportunity to them. 

He wanted to know how an advisor to the government can meet the ECI and discuss the poll arrangements on behalf of a political party. He said that how the Chief Minister could announce that the elections would be held in November and results would be out in December. Uttam further added that ECI was supposed to keep the schedule of the elections a secret till the announcement. 

He said that while there were 2.81 crore voters in Telangana in 2014, in the recently-published list the numbers has gone down to 2.61 crore.  Stating that a huge number of voters has been slashed without a justifiable reason, Uttam said that people of Telangana should realise the gross injustice being meted out to them. 

TJS chief Prof Kodandaram said that elections were the backbone of democracy and voter list was the life of it. However, the government has been abusing power to suppress the voting rights of people. He wanted to know how the advisors to the government were continued when the Assembly was dissolved. 

Adding that there was a chance for using undue influence by the chairmen of the corporations of the State and they should be removed immediately, Kodandaram questioned the need to reduce the schedule of revision of voter lists in view of festivals and exams. 

He said that the people would be busy with Ganesh festival for 10 days followed by Bathukamma festival. During this period, examinations would be conducted. Under such circumstances, how the revision of voter list would be taken up? he sought to know.