Deferring polls in AP on Congress mind
HYDERABAD: Political reasons apart, the UPA government seems to be seriously contemplating deferring Assembly elections keeping in view the complications arising out of merger of a few hundred villages in Telangana with the residuary State.
The argument that villages excluded from three Assembly and two Lok Sabha constituencies in Telangana and sought to be included in the residuary State automatically means delimitation of the constituencies.
Since this requires an amendment to the Constitution, it is more than likely that the entire exercise may be deferred until the two States are created.
From a political perspective too, Congress seems to be of the view that in the event of TRS not merging with the party, it is better to gain a little more time before the elections are held in Telangana.
At the same time, postponement of polls in Seemandhra would give time to its leaders there to recover lost ground. If elections are indeed postponed to the Assembly, it is more than likely that delimitation of the constituencies will also be taken up once the President signs the Reorganisation Bill and a notification is issued fixing the Appointed Day for the new Telangana State.
According to current indications, the Election Commission is unlikely to announce the poll schedule before March 8 and it could even drag until March 12. In the meantime, the President would have signed the Bill and the Central Government will have enough time to consider deferring elections in the State if it wants to.
A top Congress leader is said to be in touch with officials of the Election Commission assessing the pros and cons of deferring the elections and the modalities that need to be followed. However, officially, the Election Commission is still discounting the possibility of deferring polls.
News Posted: 1 March, 2014
|
