A final decision regarding imposition of President Rule in Andhra Pradesh is expected to be taken by the Union Cabinet meeting tomorrow.
AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh, who is also in charge of party affairs in AP, disclosed this to the media and said that the issue was discussed with the Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who after assessing all pros and cons had concurred with the senior party leaders suggestion for brining the state under the central rule.
Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Digvijay Singh earlier this morning called on Sonia Gandhi and deliberated over the political impasse prevailing in AP following the resignation of Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy. Sonia Gandhi’s Political Advisor Ahmed Patel was also present when the discussions took place.
After Union Ministers, State Ministers and other leaders from the Seemandhra region had a meeting with Sonia Gandhi two days back, she was impressed upon the need to install an elected government in the state by nominating a successor to Kiran Kumar Reddy. It was pointed out to her that if elections were held in the state with President Rule in force would have a negative impact on the Congress Party. Sonia Gandhi is understood to have agreed to the arguments put forth by the Seemandhra Congress leaders and favoured the installation of an elected interim government in the state instead of President Rule.
However during this morning’s meeting, both Shinde and Digvijay Singh, especially the latter, are understood to have pointed out that if an elected government is installed, then the elections should be compulsorily held in the state and that the chances of the Congress party in the Seemandhra region were bleak. Bring the sate under President Rule would help, if need be, postponement of elections and provide the required time for the party to bounce back.
It might mentioned here that the Election Commission has asserted that election could be conducted in both the new states simultaneously along with the Lok Sabha polls. Moreover the TRS had made it clear that it was firmly opposed to any postponement of elections in the two new states. Thus whatever might be the future course of action with regard to holding elections in the two states or for deferring the polls, Sonia Gandhi is understood to have relented for imposing President Rule in the state.
Thus the Union Cabinet scheduled meet on Friday in all probability would endorse the view of the Congress President for bringing the state under President Rule.(NSS)