ESL on way out?

Hyderabad: Is the Central government contemplating to change the Governor of Telangana? This was the hot topic in political circles here on Saturday.

Speculations are rife that the Centre is contemplating to shift Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik to Telangana replacing incumbent ESL Narasimhan. Another name that has been making rounds is that of D H Shankar Murthy, a BJP leader from Karnataka.

The possibility of imposing President's rule in J&K has sprang up various equations, including the shifting of Satyapal Malik from Jammu and Kashmir to Telangana.

BJP sources in Telangana say that the possibility of change of Governor cannot be ruled out. In fact, it has been due for long.

Speculations about shifting of Narasimhan were there from the day the Centre appointed Bishwabhushan Harichandan as Governor of Andhra Pradesh.

After the completion of 5-year term in 2017, Narasimhan was asked to continue as the Governor of the two Telugu states of AP and Telangana until further orders were issued.

Sources said the Union Home Ministry is preparing the probable list of names for the appointment of the Governor for Telangana. Among them Malik and Murthy's names figure prominently.

The Centre is of the strong view that Malik will be the right choice. The state needs a Governor who can take independent decisions.

Along with that, if the BJP can emerge as strong alternative to the ruling TRS, then it would become easy for the party to give a tough fight to TRS in the next general election and can hope to come to power in Telangana, sources added.

A decision is expected during the third week of August. Meanwhile, Narasimhan has been asked to update the Centre the ongoing political developments in Telangana and also instructed to coordinate with the AP Governor in discharging duties in view of pending bifurcation disputes between the two states after the division of Andhra Pradesh.