Union Government clarified that no advisory had been sent Raj to Bhavan of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on the implementation of Section-8 of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act-2014. In the backdrop of political brouhaha over the reported legal advice to Governor ESL Narasimhan by Attorney-General of India, union law minister DV Sadananda Gowda cleared clouds of confusion over the issue. Two days ago NDTV reported that Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi adivised the Governor Narasimhan that he could monitor the cash-for-vote scam inquiry being carried by Telangana ACB. The report raised a thick political dust in Telangana and Andhra Prades, with political parties taking open stand opposing and favoring the Rohatgi’s advice. While T-CM warned that he might have to sit on fast in Delhi in case governor intervenes in the investigation, other political outifits of Telangana stated that they would launch an agitation against governor’s special powers. Congress and intellectuals like Prof. Haragopal also joined chorus. On the other side of the boader in AP, ministers and civic organizations, launched concerted campaign for implementation of Sec. 8. However, YSRCP took a different stand and said there was no need for central clearance as the provision has already been in force since June 2, 2014. AP Congress sought CBI inquiry into cash-for-vote and telephone tapping. PCC president  Raghuvira Reddy is prepping to file a petition to this effect in AP High Court.  Amid this commotion, Sadanada Gowda told Times of India, that law ministry was the appropriate authority to issues such advisories. “ As per the procedure, the ministry of home affairs has to write to us seeking our opinion on such issues. The MHA, however, has never asked about our views. And there is no question of the law ministry writing to anybody on this,” he told a leading newspaper.

(JNR)