Amidst protests in Seemandhra, Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Monday briefed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about the law and order situation in the State.
Shinde was accompanied by Union Ministers Pallam Raju, Chiranjeevi, K Sambasiva Rao, D Purandeswari, Kotla Jaya Surya Prakash Reddy and Killi Krupa Rani. Later, the Prime Minister held a separate meeting with Shinde and Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram.
They discussed the steps taken by the Centre and the State to contain the situation and how to bring back normalcy. A senior official told Express the Centre is monitoring the law and order situation and is in constant touch with the State government.
Asked if President’s Rule is a possibility if the situation deteriorates further, the official said since there is no going back on the decision to bifurcate the State, it could be a possibility if the situation arises.
“Protest against the Cabinet decision is not surprising but if essential services are hit in the State due to protests, then the government will have to rethink its strategy. A decision on available alternatives is likely to be taken in a day or so after the President’s return from Turkey,” sources said. After meeting the Prime Minister, Shinde said he was confident of finding an amicable solution to safeguard interests of all regions. Shinde termed the protests a matter of “grave concern” and urged the people to create an environment for a healthy dialogue. The Congress, however, appeared a bit nervous with TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu launching an indefinite fast in the national capital and the protests in Seemandhra taking a violent turn. Putting up a brave face, party spokesman Bhakt Charan Das quoted contents of Naidu’s letter to Shinde, written in 2012, and a YSRC resolution, both supporting Telangana. But it only showed how the Congress is fast losing the plot.
The Union Ministers from Seemandhra, on their part, conveyed to the PM their inability to continue in office.
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