Crucial AP Council of Ministers meet on Monday on fate of LC

The Andhra Pradesh Council of Ministers will hold a crucial meeting to possibly pass a resolution recommending the abolition of the Legislative Council in the backdrop of the political developments since December 17.

Amaravati:The Andhra Pradesh Council of Ministers will hold a crucial meeting here on Monday to decide the fate of the Legislative Council as Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has questioned the need for the Upper House of the state Legislature.

The extended winter session of the Assembly will continue on Monday to possibly pass a resolution recommending the abolition of the Council in the backdrop of the political developments since December 17.

Alternatively, the ruling YSR Congress is also said to be working on a 'Plan-B' by perhaps pulling some of the Telugu Desam Party MLCs into its fold as it has already snatched two.

As things stand, YSRC will gain a majority in the Council only in 2021 when a number of opposition members will retire at the end of their six-year term.

The YSRC, which has just nine members in the 58-member Council, is miffed after it failed to get two crucial Bills related to its plan of having three capitals for the state passed.

Using his discretionary power under Rule 154, the Council Chairman M A Sharrif had referred the AP Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Bill, 2020 and the APCRDA (Repeal) Bill to a select committee for deeper examination.

"We need to seriously think whether we need to have such a House which appears to be functioning with only political motives. It is not mandatory to have the Council, which is our own creation, and it is only for our convenience. So let us discuss the issue further on Monday and take a decision on whether or not to continue the Council," the Chief Minister had told the Assembly on Thursday evening.

In fact, the YSRC had on December 17 first threatened to abolish the Council when it became clear that the TDP was bent on blocking two Bills, related to the creation of a separate Commission for Scheduled Castes and conversion of all government schools into English medium.

As the Legislature was adjourned sine dine on December 17, no further action was taken.

But the issue cropped up again last week as the TDP, that has 28 members in the Council, remained firm on its stand on opposing the three capitals plan.

Despite YSRC attracting two TDP members to its side, the government failed to get the three capitals Bills passed in the Council, triggering a debate in the Assembly on whether or not the Upper House should be allowed to remain in existence.

"What will be the meaning of governance if the House of Elders does not allow good decisions to be taken in the interest of people and block enactment of laws? We need to seriously think about it...whether we should have such a House or do away with it," Jagan said in the Assembly.

Many see Jagan's threat to abolish the Council as a "mind game" to lure several TDP MLCs into his YSRC.

"At least 17 out of the 23 TDP MLAs are ready to jump ship. Should we say anything about their MLCs," the Chief Ministers key aide and Advisor on Public Affairs, Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, remarked on Sunday.

"What will we do with all of them? We need not buy legislators," he pointed out, rebutting TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and Council opposition leader Yanamala Ramakrishnudus charge.

Sajjala further alleged that Chandrababu had sent at least 18 TDP MLCs into the BJP to stall the three capitals process at least for two years.

"His MLCs themselves are saying this," the advisor added. If indeed the YSRC succeeds in its plan and ensures the crossover of some more TDP MLCs, the Council abolition move might possibly be aborted, sources indicated.

"Having the Council in place is politically crucial for the YSRC as Jagan has promised MLC posts to several leaders. Its a very major political gamble he is taking, either way", a top YSRC leader remarked.