T-issue: Cong’s dilemma?
The 120-year-old Congress Party,
Grandmother of politics arraigning left, centre and right ideologies for
itself, is suffering from phenomenal dilemma and dithering. When there was
opportunity to send a clear message, it took shelter under its obsession “time
will bail it out in due course”. Having
lost opportunity to give a clear verdict and implemented “policy of divide and
rule” by allowing group leaders to play with the sentiments and arousing
emotions of the people, now it is too late for the Congress High Command to
satisfy the war mongers on all sides.
The crisis remains more compounded than ever before due to own making –
hit wicket or self goal. Should the AP
state be divided or kept united keeping
upper most in view its prospects to regain power in 2014 or in early general
elections?
These are some of the questions on which
the Congress core group seems to be holding brain-storming sessions as part of
recent by-polls debacle reviews with the Andhra Pradesh party leaders before
pronouncing its final decision of Telangana statehood. Almost half of the cabinet, besides new aspirants
are camping in Delhi seeking audience of the “ Uncrowned Empress” of India to
impress on her that their unsolicited advice worth ‘two paise’ which should be
counted. All of them are alike are least interested either in national interests –
unity – or interested in peoples peace and prosperity. Their sole obsession is politics – no-holds
barred pursuit of power.
The Congress Party’s credibility is at an
all time low among the people not only on the national scene but also in the AP
state. With the Congress Party at cross-roads and the Presidential
elections scheduled on July 15, what the party is doing is fire-fighting to
ensure that their flock of MPs and MLAs exercise their franchise for the
official candidate. Otherwise left to
themselves to exercise conscience vote, they may either abstain, particularly
T-Congress MPs and MLAs, or vote against Pranab Mukerjee in protest to save
their face among the voters. In
retrospect, it is the real ‘litmus’ test to its future existence in Indian
political map. Over the years, it has
lost state after the state and now further threat of its shrinking in real
numbers or sinking for ever into oblivion is looming large. More so, when Sonia Gandhi is determined to
ensure smooth handover of PM baton to her son Rahul Gandhi from Dr Manmohan
Singh, who had one of the worst second term with his personal reputation
knocking the lowest web.
Amidst this chaos, the hope of T-statehood
optimists could smile and hope for the best outcome before the scheduled
Presidential polls as Sonia and her coterie realized the importance of Andhra
politics which has deteriorated from bad to worse. Such false hopes or signals have been
repeatedly given by the Congress High Command in the past. Is it yet another false hope?
Many
feel Sonia will finally spell out her mind in favor of new T-state sooner than
later - before July 10? But, which way will it decide is a million dollar
question. She is breaking her head with
the three region people to massage their egos or stand over the bifurcation of
state, which saw tremendous growth rate not so long ago. As part of that exercise, she is apparently
playing with idea of creating Rayala Telangana. Is it yet another cruel joke being inflicted
on culturally and historically united people of Rayalaseema of 1956
territories.
Is Rayala Telangana acceptable to rest of
Andhra leaders? That too when all major
resources situated in this region being denied to rest of Andhra or new Andhra
state? Yes resources like the major
irrigation projects like Nagarjunasagar and Srisailam, besides the huge
hydro-power generated at these two water sources? Will not there be fresh war-fronts open on
‘river water’ disputes between the new two states? Why water, even in power (electricity)
sharing will become major contentious issue!
Be that as it may, this is a classic
example of phenomenal procrastination and failure of leadership to seize
opportunities in a timely manner. And,
it is not resolve the political mess that has been created or its fallout.
Even when Telangana is created by a stroke
of divine intervention, then also, peace and stability within is not
guaranteed. Since politics – pursuit of
power – is ruthless, there will be bitter fight for power on caste, communal
and class lines. Let none suffer from
illusions on the above score. Alongside,
the prospects of the grandmother Congress Party will be given a decent
cremation or burial. (29-06-2012)
(Courtesy: MANA MLA GARU.COM)
