Hyderabad as Union Territory ? Political parties stoking fresh fears

The Bhararth Rashtra Samiti (BRS) is stoking such fears ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. BRS working president K T Rama Rao has gone on record stating that the Central government would be converting the city into a union territory. He appealed to the electorate to lend support to the BRS and elect a good number of the party nominees to Parliament so that they could foil any such attempt to wrest away Hyderabad city from Telangana State.

Hyderabad ceases to be the joint capital of AP, TS on June 1.

Fear is, by all means, a powerful motivator. Political parties often make use of it to influence public opinion. Of late, the people of Hyderabad are being swayed by a new-found fear. The city may be converted into a union territory as the “BJP leadership is bent upon depriving Telangana State if its capital city”.

In the event of the BJP coming to power at the Centre for the third consecutive term, its target would be the MIM which is making all out efforts to spread its wings with a national outreach programme. The MIM has been wielding considerable clout in the city. It had gained prominence under the BRS rule for the past ten years. The ruling Congress also continued to extend the same priority to the Owaisi family, which is at the helm of affairs in the MIM. The growing political influence of the MIM family is always an intriguing factor for the BJP.

Hyderabad ceases to be the joint capital of AP and TS on June 2, 2024.   As laid down in the AP Reorganization Act, it continues to be the joint capital of AP and Telangana until June 1, 2024. The Seemandhra population settled in Hyderabad is faring considerably well compared to their families in AP. BJP leadership would not leave the opportunity to cash in on the lingering fears of the Seemandhra business communities with their high stakes in Telangana, and project itself as the liberator of Hyderabad.

Making Hyderabad a union territory would mean significant changes in the administrative structure of the city. It is the most preferred place in the country, in the case of projecting it as the second capital. Hyderabad is home to a number of central institutions and defense establishments that are contributing significantly to the progress of India. The pace of development of all such institutions will certainly gather pace, with the central leadership directly in control of their affairs.

The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs has often ruled out any such move on the agenda of the BJP to make Hyderabad a union territory. Political analysts are of the view that the BRS was stoking such fears because, it has been weakened considerably due to heavy poaching by both the Congress and BJP on its flock.  It is striving only to come into reckoning in the case of a hung parliament.

But Hyderabad is not just a city to play politics with. It is being looked upon by the world as a melting pot of cultures, languages, and aspirations. Having emerged as a major hub of the Information Technology (IT) industry, it matters considerably to India’s economy. Any change in its status would impact millions of residents and businesses. Regardless of political affiliations, people must come together to safeguard Hyderabad’s interests.  (EOM)

If Hyderabad became a union territory, it could lead to a shift in political dynamics, giving the BJP an upper hand.  Union territories are generally governed directly by the Central government. It would help in placing Hyderabad under the direct control of the Centre. It would make possible the implementation of Central policies in a big way. Once it becomes a federal territory, it would be ruled directly by the party in power at the Centre.