Will Guv Favour President's Rule?

Political circles in Andhra Pradesh are abuzz with whispers over the AICC High Command's summons to state Governor E S L Narasimhan. It is pointed out that there is more to it than meets the eye.

The Governor has been called to New Delhi for a first-hand feedback about the volatile situation in the 10 districts of Telangana region, including Hyderabad.

It is believed that by calling him a day ahead of Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, the party bosses want to send the message loud and clear - there would be nothing hunky dory hereafter.

Driven to a catch-22 situation, the Congress High Command is in no position to initiate disciplinary charges against errant party leaders, who have been defying the diktat time and again. The fear stems from the fact that Andhra Pradesh sends the maximum party members (33) to the Lok Sabha.

Veteran Congress leaders from the state have been cautioning the High Command that rubbing these rebel leaders on the wrong side would be nothing short of political suicide.

Ironically, several Congress MPs have refused to toe the party line, and have shunned crucial Parliament sessions, despite whip-like messages. The party Legislators have been playing hide-and-seek in their own way, much to the chagrin of 10 Janpath.

In the circumstances, Narasimhan's visit assumes political significance. It may be recalled that the Governor has generally been at the receiving end of Telangana leaders of the Congress and the TRS.

Many theories are floating, and each has a potent point to substantiate individual claims and charges. For instance, there are intelligence reports that Naxalites have begun infiltrating their former strongholds under the guise of Telangana agitations.

Also, there is a marked contrast between the reports sent by Kiran Kumar Reddy and APCC Chief Botsa Satyanarayana on the situation in the state capital. Even as the Sakula Janula Samme entered its 24th day on Friday, Congress leaders from Telangana continue with their rebellion, which is nothing short of disobedience.

A senior Congress leader believes that with no other option to contain the proponents of Telangana statehood, besides the overall failure of government machinery, Narasimhan might suggest a brief spell of President's Rule. This is more so because no amount of invitations for across-the-table dialogue have yielded results.

Ultimately, the ball is back in the court of the party bosses and not that of the UPA. (INN)