Three reasons why Jagan Reddy decided to dissolve legislative council | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Three reasons why Jagan Reddy decided to dissolve legislative council

Hindustan Times, Hyderabad | ByVenkatesha Babu
Jan 27, 2020 12:53 PM IST

The Andhra Pradesh cabinet led Chief Minister by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday decided to abolish the state legislative council. While the quickness with which the cabinet moved might have surprised a few, the decision itself was largely expected.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy addresses the party MLAs in Amravati, on June 7, 2019.(PTI Photo)
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy addresses the party MLAs in Amravati, on June 7, 2019.(PTI Photo)

Here are three reasons why the Jagan Reddy-led YSRCP government decided to take this step:

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

YSRCP is in a minority in the Upper House: In the May 2018 assembly polls, the YSRCP swept winning 151 of the 175 assembly seats with the main Opposition TDP getting a measly 23 seats in the Lower House. YSRCP saw this verdict as a slap against what it said was the Amaravati-centric model of development that the previous Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP government had followed in the state. However, in the Upper House which has a strength of 58 members - including eight nominated ones - YSRCP has a mere nine members, TDP has 26 with rest divided amongst others including BJP which has three. With current vacancy of four seats, the effective strength of the council is 54 and most of the nominated members have tended to side with the Opposition TDP. So, YSRCP doesn’t want an Upper Council where it would take it several years to get a majority.

Inability to pass key legislation: It is no secret that YSRCP is in a hurry to undo a lot of measures undertaken by the previous TDP government including bills like denotifying the Amaravati Capital Region Development Authority. However, being in a minority in the Upper House has meant it is at a severe handicap. Recently, using the Upper House, the Opposition TDP was able to stall several key landmark legsilations which the YSRCP government was desperate to pass.

There is a precedent: Predictably while the TDP is crying foul at this new move of the state government, YSRCP supporters point out that how it was actually TDP which when it came to power for the first time in 1983 sought to abolish the Upper House. Finally, in 1985, TDP did manage to get the Upper House abolished, thus converting a bicameral house into a uni-cameral one till 2007 when Congress revived it after coming back to power both in the state and at the Centre. TDP then had justified the measure pointing to the then main Opposition Congress party’s stalling tactics in preventing passing of key legislation using its strength in the Upper House though it had lost in the assembly polls. Now the wheel has come a full circle with YSRCP doing to TDP what the TDP did to Congress.

While the cabinet resolution will easily sail through the assembly, things aren’t that smooth for YSRCP. The bill even after being passed in the assembly will have to be referred to the Centre which has to get the consent of Parliament by introducing a bill. YSRCP will have to play footsie with BJP inured to achieve its objective of abolishing the upper house. BJP and NDA are unlikely to oblige unless they extracts their pound of political flesh. So while the wheels have been set in motion for the abolition of the upper house in Andhra, the actual deed even if everything goes smoothly may at least by 6-9 months away from being realised.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On