Indecision on Hyderabad puts Telangana in limbo

Chandigarh Model:A Union Territory (UT),it acts as capital of both Punjab and Haryana and has administrators posted by the central government. Sources said this will find acceptability in Seemandhara but not in Telangana.

Delhi Model: A UT with limited stake and an Assembly. The officers who will be posted in Hyderabad will be of UT cadre giving leverage to the central government. Telangana leaders have rejected this option.

Joint Capital: One of the viable options being proposed in conjunction with the CWC resolution gives Telangana control of Hyderabad for the first 10 years. It has been suggested in that Telangana can rent infrastructure to Andhra till its new capital comes into being.

However,the third model too has its flaws. Sources said giving complete control of Hyderabad to Telangana may ring trouble for Andhra leaders as their security will be with the local administration and police. Declaring Hyderabad UT would ensure political clout of MP Asaduddin Owaisi’s party around the city but he has different fears and said will oppose the resolution both in Parliament and state Assembly.

“BJP is going to gain more in a separate Telangana. If they become strong,who will ensure the security of Muslims and Christians. The government should adhere to the resolution of the CWC of having Hyderabad as a common capital. Any departure shall be seen as an attempt to scuttle the process of bifurcation by the Centre.”

Pro-Telangana leader of Congress M Jagannatham differed. He said it was not feasible for Seemandhra to use Hyderabad as capital.

“We will not accept Hyderabad as UT but under a constitutional provision,Seemandhra may be allowed to function from Hyderabad till it builds a new capital.”

However,many believe a common capital may not be acceptable to Seemandhra leaders,given the fact that Hyderabad has been at the centre of the Andhra-Telangana tussle.

The stalemate may again spark protests in Andhra Pradesh. As such,the report of the A K Antony committee gains significance and a final call on Hyderabad will be taken by Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde after a discussion with the defence minister.

Once the draft proposal is approved by the Home Minister,it will be submitted to the cabinet. After consultations,the Cabinet is expected to set up a Group of Ministers,which will further deliberate before adopting a resolution to be sent to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly for formation of Telangana.

But for now,Telangana is in limbo.