The governments of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are gearing up for yet another confrontation over the cash-for-vote scam.
As the Telangana government accelerated the probe, the AP government decided to constitute a special investigation team to probe various cases filed against it.
On a day witness to fast-paced developments in the capital city, top officials of the Telangana government met ESL Narasimhan, Governor for both States, to update him on the latest situation in the scam and about the possibility of issuing notices to some more people. The name of TDP MP CM Ramesh was also making the rounds.
AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his Telangana counterpart K Chandrasekhara Rao (KCR) held separate meetings to review the developments and firm up their next moves.
The scam that has rocked the neighbouring States over the fortnight resulted in the arrest of Telangana TDP MLA A Revanth Reddy and two others. Their alleged role in it were reportedly caught on camera and tape.
Naidu, along with some cabinet colleagues and Union Minister YS Chowdhary, decided after confabulations to press for implementation of Section 8 of the AP Reorganisation Act, which provides for the Governor to handle law and order in Hyderabad.
In another meeting, Director General of Police of Telangana Anurag Sharma and Hyderabad Police Commissioner Mahendar Reddy met Narasimhan. There are indications that some more notices will be served on TDP leaders.
Reacting to the day’s developments, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in New Delhi that Central Home Ministry Secretary LC Goyal will speak to both the States on issues relating to Section 8 of the Act.
However, he did not comment on the cash-for-vote scam.
Need for police
Briefing newspersons after the meeting with Naidu, AP Minister Atchannaidu said the State government would like to have its own police set-up in Hyderabad, and that the security of Naidu and others would be taken care of by AP police. This was also conveyed by the AP Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to the Governor.
He further said it would not be easy for KCR to handle allegations of phone tapping.