AP, T Guv told to create a cordial atmosphere

The Centre has asked the common Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, ESl Narasimhan, to resolve the problem dogging the relations of the two States and strive to create a cordial and harmonious atmosphere.This was the message Narasimhan got in his hour-long meeting with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on Friday. Sources said that the prevailing acrimonious atmosphere between the two State Governments over the issues of cash-for-vote scam, alleged phone tapping and Section 8 figured in the discussions. Joint Secretary in Union Home Ministry Alok Kumar was also present during the meeting.

Narasimhan was in New Delhi on the summons from the Centre against the backdrop of growing bitterness between the two dueling States for the last few weeks.Earlier Narasimhan also met Union Home Secretary lC Goyal and discussed the situation. While the Telangana Government was turning the heat on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu over the cash-for-vote scam, AP was using the allegations of telephone tapping to mount pressure on Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. The AP Government was also pestering the Union Government to transfer the powers of law and order in Hyderabad to the Governor by invoking Section 8 of the AP State Reorganisation Act.

The Governor also brought the issue of institutions included in the Xth Schedule of the Act which has become a bone of contention between the two States.

Sources said that all these issues figured in the talks between the Governor and the Union Home Minister. However, it was not clear whether the Centre was willing to lend its ears to the demand for invoking Section 8 at this point.