26th Formation Day: BRS set to push a new narrative of ‘Reclaiming Telangana’

Formation of Telangana: Historical and Constitutional Background

Formation of Telangana

• Telangana became the 29th State of India on 2 June 2014 after the bifurcation of the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh through the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.
• It was formed under Article 3 of the Constitution of India, which gives Parliament the power to create new states, alter boundaries, and change the names of existing states.

This issue becomes important in current affairs whenever regional parties like Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) raise the narrative of “Telangana identity” and “reclaiming Telangana.”

Historical Background

• Before Independence, the Telangana region was part of the princely State of Hyderabad ruled by the Nizam.
• Unlike Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema, Telangana was under princely administration and had a different political, administrative, and land system.
• After Independence, Hyderabad did not immediately join India. It was integrated into the Indian Union through Operation Polo (Police Action) in 1948.
• After this, Hyderabad became a Part B State, and Telangana remained within Hyderabad State.

Merger with Andhra (1956)

• In 1953, Andhra State was created for Telugu-speaking people after the death of Potti Sriramulu.However, Telangana remained separate.
• The States Reorganisation Commission (SRC), 1955, recommended that Telangana should remain a separate state for some time because:

• It was economically less developed
• People feared domination by Andhra elites
• Safeguards were needed in jobs and education

Despite this, Telangana was merged with Andhra State on 1 November 1956, forming Andhra Pradesh.

This merger was based on the Gentlemen’s Agreement (1956), which promised safeguards regarding:

• Government jobs
• Educational opportunities
• Use of financial resources
• Political representation
• Regional autonomy

Later, many people felt these promises were not properly implemented.

Reasons for Separate Telangana Demand

1. Economic Neglect:People believed that Telangana’s revenue was being used more for the development of Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema. Irrigation, industries, and infrastructure development were seen as unequal.
2. Employment Issues: Local people felt that government jobs were going to people from other regions. Violation of Mulki Rules and local reservation protections created major dissatisfaction.
3. Water Disputes: Telangana raised concerns over unfair sharing of Krishna and Godavari river waters. Irrigation projects were considered unequal.
4. Cultural Identity: Telangana had a separate historical experience under the Hyderabad State and developed its own dialect, traditions, and social identity. People wanted recognition of this distinct identity.
5. Political Domination: There was a perception that leadership and decision-making remained dominated by Coastal Andhra elites. This created a strong regional political demand.

Article 3 and Creation of New States

• The constitutional basis for creation of Telangana lies in Article 3 of the Constitution of India.
• Article 3 empowers Parliament to form new states by separation of territory from an existing state, unite states, alter boundaries, increase or diminish area, and change the name of a state.
• This reflects the flexible nature of Indian federalism, where Parliament has significant authority over internal territorial reorganisation.
• Unlike many federations, Indian states do not possess constitutional permanence regarding boundaries

Procedure for State Reorganisation under Article 3

• A Bill for creation of a new State can be introduced only in Parliament and only with the prior recommendation of the President.
• Before introduction, the President refers the Bill to the concerned State Legislature for expressing its views within a specified time.
• The opinion of the State Legislature is only advisory and not binding.
• Even if the State Legislature opposes the Bill, Parliament can still proceed.
• The Bill is passed by a simple majority and not by a special majority.
• After Presidential assent, it becomes law.
• This makes state reorganisation easier than constitutional amendment.

Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014

• The Parliament passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, which formally created Telangana.
• Major provisions included the creation of Telangana, Hyderabad serving as a joint capital for up to ten years, division of assets and liabilities, allocation of government employees, sharing of river waters, distribution of public institutions and division of public debt.
• Hyderabad eventually became the permanent capital of Telangana, while Andhra Pradesh initiated the development of Amaravati as its new capital.
• This Act remains one of the most important examples of Article 3 in practice.

Political Parties in the Constitutional Framework

• Political parties are essential to parliamentary democracy because they connect citizens with the government, contest elections, form governments and provide opposition.
• Interestingly, the Constitution originally did not contain detailed provisions regarding political parties.
• Their formal constitutional recognition came later through constitutional amendments and election laws.
• Political parties derive their basic legitimacy from Article 19(1)(c), which guarantees the right to form associations and unions.
• This provides the foundation for citizens to organise themselves politically.

Constitutional Recognition through the Tenth Schedule

• Political parties received formal constitutional recognition through the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985, which introduced the Tenth Schedule, also known as the Anti-Defection Law.
• This law deals with defection of legislators, party discipline and disqualification for violating the party whip.
• It gave political parties constitutional significance by linking legislative membership with party loyalty.
• The Tenth Schedule is therefore the strongest constitutional recognition of political parties in India.

Registration and Recognition of Political Parties

• Political parties are registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
• A party must apply to the Election Commission of India and declare commitment to the Constitution, democracy, secularism, socialism and national integrity.
• Registration gives legal identity but does not automatically make it a recognised party.
• Recognition is granted separately by the Election Commission under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.
• Recognition can be as a State Party or a National Party depending on vote share and electoral performance.
• Recognised parties receive reserved symbols, consultation rights with ECI, free airtime on state media and star campaigner benefits.