New Delhi/Hyderabad: In a decision that is likely to incense Telangana activists, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said on Monday that the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly had to adopt another resolution for the deletion of the clause 14 (f) from the Presidential Order.
Speaking to reporters in Delhi, he said, "The Central government had returned the issue of deletion of Clause 14 (f) from the Presidential Order, to the AP government to rebuild consensus on the issue. The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs has felt that the issue be again referred to the Assembly to re-seek consensus."
Legislators from Telangana have been seeking deletion of the clause, which makes Hyderabad a free zone for the recruitment of police personnel and enables non-Telangana candidates to apply for jobs in the department in the State capital. Chidambaram's statement is likely to spell fresh trouble in the state.
The Telangana joint action committee has already demanded that the State government desist from proceeding with the written examination for the recruitment of SIs until the clause has been deleted. Congress leaders are worried that the statement might hurt the interests of the party in the region.
Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy immediately swung into action and shot off a missive to Chidambaram pointing out that there was no need for rebuilding consensus on the issue as the State Assembly had adopted a unanimous resolution way back in March, 2010 calling for the deletion of the clause.
Congress MP Manda Jagannadham wondered, "I don't know the reason why a second resolution is being sought. The first one was passed in March, 2010. No elections have taken place since then. It is the same Assembly now." He demanded that Chidambaram explain the reasons for seeking a second resolution on the issue.
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