Why blame EC? TRS protest unwarranted! - Bhandaru Srinivasrao(I.I.S.)

Why blame EC? TRS protest unwarranted!

Dragging the Election Commission into unnecessary political controversies is reprehensible. The decision of the Election Commission to slap a show cause notice on actress-turned-TRS MP is justifiable. The decision was taken based on her inflammatory remarks made at a

 Bhandaru Srinivasrao(I.I.S.)

meeting held at Party headquarters in Hyderabad. Such remarks, if not restrain, bound to vitiate peace in already surcharged political environs in the region in the wake of by-elections due later this month.

TRS decision to blame a constitutional body like Election Commission is also just unacceptable and inappreciable. None should be allowed to make such inflammatory remarks which flare up regional passions. More so, no responsible politician of Vijayashanti stature should have indulged in such emotive speeches which may ignite ‘hatred’ among two region people within the state.



The state bifurcation issue is already seized off by the Centre and the latter had constituted Justice BN Srikrishna Committee to carry out the required exercise. Why then make such inflammatory remarks?

"Telanganaku addam vacche vaallani addanga narikeyandi!" (‘Chop off whoever oppose Telangana!)

I, as a political analyst, feel there is no reason for the TRS to point accusing fingers at the state unit Election Commissioner IV Subba Rao.

The TRS MP’s arrest was following a sue motto case filed by the police themselves. If one has to believe the conflicting reports appearing either in news papers or presented in visual media, the case was registered on a complaint from an Inspector or constable. And, Subba Rao had already clarified this. He said the EC had nothing to do with the police case or her arrest. And, the EC had only slapped show cause after examining the video-clips of her speech at the party meeting.



In fact, Vijayashanti was charged under under IPC sections 153-A (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth and residence) and 505(2) (Statements creating or promoting enmity, ill-will or hatred between classes). If the TRS has to blame, it has to the city police who booked the case. Why drag the Election Commission, which has nothing to do with the arrest of their MP?

I, for one feel, Subba Rao had rightly so issued the show cause notice based on the conclusion he arrived at after going throw the video-clips he gathered over her alleged inflammatory remarks made at a party meeting on the eve of by-polls. By issuing such a show cause notice, the EC only wanted to restrain all political parties which are partaking in the by-elections to restrain from indulging in such acts.

Similar initiatives by the then Chief Election Commissioner T N Seshan indeed brought more than semblance of discipline in conducting elections in the country. His bold, though harsh initiatives, to larger extent prevented people with criminal background from contesting polls. His electoral reforms also put some sort of ‘cap’ on election spending by contesting candidates. That too exceeded his brief and had to face the flak of apex court is another story. Yet, post-Seshan general elections held in the country continue to haunt his reforms fear.

In that back ground, one should view the EC decision in right perspective. It was only to discipline, if not caution, volatile politicians like Vijayashanti restraining from enacting the same in future. Had Subba Rao not slapped such a show cause notice, the police would not have taken action against Congress MLA Turpu Jaya Prakash Reddy. He too was arrested for similar remarks, which led to vitiate peaceful conduct of polls, akin to TRS MP Vijayashanti’s and let him off later.

Although, I find fault with TRS decision to blame the EC, I welcome their move to file a complaint with the same EC for taking action against none other the Pradesh Congress chief and party nominee from Nizamabad (urban) assembly constituency, D Srinivas, for violating the election code. The PCC Chief apparently sought votes on behalf of his caste and region, which certainly attracts action from the EC.

While appealing to all political parties to follow the election code to ensure peaceful conduct of by-elections to 12 assembly constituencies later this month, I also wish the Election Commission too apply the same yard stick that it has applied while slapping the show cause notice on TRS MP, even in case of the PCC Chief. By doing so, the EC not only disprove its ‘impartial’ (or unbiased) role in conducting free and fair polls.

I have full confidence in the EC as he received accolades for conducting free and fair polls (general elections) not so long ago. One just cannot forget that it was he who was instrumental in replacing the then state police chief SSP Yadav for the latter’s remarks at an official meeting.(04-07-2010 )

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By-polls; TRS demand undemocratic! -Bhandaru Srinivasrao (I.I.S.)

By-polls; TRS demand undemocratic! -Bhandaru Srinivasrao (I.I.S.)

In a democratic society, any citizen can take part in any election any where.  That’s the right enshrined in our constitution.  Then, how come the separatist Telangana Rashtra Samiti and other students’ organizations like the Osmania University JAC and Kakatiya University JAC dare held out threats against those aspiring candidates who wanted to contest the bypolls which necessitated due to the resignation of 12 legislators protesting against the Centre’s decision to constitute Justice BN Srikrishna panel?

Such a demand is not only undemocratic and unlawful act and the government should not hesitate to book cases against those who indulge in holding out such threats. Instead, those who are demanding for bifurcation of the state can campaign in a peaceful manner to convince the electorate of the region to vote for those who toe the separate statehood line.  None can object to such a move. Yet, their campaign should not be provocative and attract legal action as such undemocratic moves only result in disturbing the peace in society.

With the announcement of the possible elections before August by none other than one of the Election Commissioners, the ruling Congress and its main rival, Telugu Desam Party, have already begun the process for candidates hunt.  Scores of aspiring candidates already forming queues before these two major party headquarters and engaged in hectic lobbying for ticket!  Contrary to this, the TRS and those who are fighting for separate statehood are only trying to scare the contestants.  They wanted all those who resigned en masse (10 of TRS and one each of TDP and BJP) on a directive from the T-JAC Chief Prof Kodandaram, only they should return to state Assembly uncontested.  Can such a demand be allowed in a democratic society like ours?

Prof Kodandaram is a respected teacher.  I feel, he is well versed with country’s democratic functioning and also of the contents of the Constitution.  He should discourage those militant elements who wanted to make such undemocratic demand and wants to pursue it further.  Otherwise, one bound to suspect that the TRS has no faith in Indian democracy and may attract the treatment that being meted out to other unlawful organizations and political parties.  Violence has no place in the society.  Every peace loving citizen should adhere to this.  As a citizen of this great nation, one enjoys the freedom to travel, live, breathe and enjoy life in which ever part of the country he chooses to.  None has the right to restrict movements of an individual based on regional chauvinism. 

What the TRS and those organizations which really wanted to accomplish their dream of separate statehood for Telangana should seriously concentrate and ensure return of all those who resigned for the cause in the forthcoming by-polls.  As far as the regional ‘sentiment’ is concerned, one has little faith in that argument.  This was based on the past experiences of TRS in elections.  Doubting Thomases  on Telangana ask; “if the sentiment is so strong, then why electorate are not supporting TRS at hustings?.  The TRS had only seen only erosion (numerically) in all elections it contested since 2004. 

Onus is on TRS now to change this belief among its baiters. It has a point or two to prove by retaining all the 10 seats  (remaining two belong to TDP and BJP) it had won in 2009.  It should put all its energies to impress upon the electorate in these constituencies to strengthen their hands to take the fight for separate statehood to its logical conclusion. If it retains all the 10 seats and also ensures victory for TDP and BJP candidates who also resigned along with other TRS MLAs and establish that the sentiment for separate statehood is strong, it shall send the right kind of message even to Srikrishna Panel make note of it and incorporate this fact while submission of its final report sometime during the year end. 

Time is ripe for polarization of electorate for the cause.  The ball is now back in TRS court and how it handles and sees all its nominees retain their seats is the look out of its most vocal leader K Chandrasekhara Rao.

 It’s his responsibility to best utilize this golden opportunity to disprove the argument of ‘Telangana is no more a myth, but set to become reality, sooner than later, if he ensures all electorate fall in line and help retain his nominees.”  

One only wish KCR and Prof Kodandaram control their tempers and show their maturity in understanding the democratic process and disprove their critics of what they are capable of.  Good luck to them! (( 09-06-2010 )

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TRS violence ‘eclipse’ Mahanadu coverage! - Bhandaru Srinivas Rao

TRS violence ‘eclipse’ Mahanadu coverage!

Has the trouble that rocked the state following Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy’s “Odarpu Yatra” ‘eclipsed’ the deserved coverage to the two-day Mahanadu of Telugu Desam party?

It looks like so!  Telugu Desam party, which is considered as one of the major regional parties in India, and had a ‘major’ role to play in Indian politics, suffered worst due to media deviation on two incidents – Jagan’s arrest following trouble at Mahbubabad railway station and the Maoist blasting a train in West  Bengal  killing 80 persons.  Almost all the news channels of regional and national gave priority to these two incidents' coverage simultaneously, ignoring the importance that the TDP annual conclave indeed deserves.

Does the entire media in the country taken for a ride by a well-knit conspiracy hatched by the Congress and the separatist Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS)?  As far as the state Congress unit is concerned, it is a war like situation within the party as pro and anti-YSR groups clashes come in open.  Those who opposed to YSR had no courage to challenge him while he was alive.  Although, they used to air dissent note quite often, they were not taken seriously by the party high command as YSR enjoyed maximum support.  In fact, even the Opposition which hitherto used to blame a Congress-led government in the past of being ruled (read controlled) by Delhi leadership, had begun to accuse it was YSR who dictating terms to the party high command.  In other words, not only the main Opposition Telugu Desam, but also other parties in the state realized that YSR had become all powerful and worked towards his defeat ganging up in one form or the other during the last assembly elections held in 2009.

But, YSR, who established himself as ‘mass leader’ (may be after NTR) in Andhra politics could accept the Opposition parties united ‘platform’ to ensure his Congress party win second term in the state.  The TRS, which was born to fight for separate statehood, hobnobbed with the Congress in 2004 elections and later with the Opposition Telugu Desam Party under the banner of “Mahakutami” in 2009 elections, in a bid to improve its numerical strength in the state assembly. Ironically, it failed on both occasions.

But, the tragic death of a strong leader like YSR in chopper crash had come handy to the party which is fighting for separate statehood as well to the Opposition Telugu Desam, which is  ambitious to stage a come back.  But, the death of a strong leader like YSR had benefited the TRS more than the TDP as regional passions rocked almost all the major political parties.  Those, who stood like a rock in support of YSR, nip the separate statehood demand in the bud, slowly but steadily, came out in its support.  So has happened even in Telugu Desam and the party leadership had its compulsions in encouraging such a demand by its own members belonging to the region.

What has happened in the recent past to strengthen the cause is for every one of us to see.  The fast-unto death agitation by the TRS chief, the Centre’s initiative to begin the process for bifurcation with the Union Home Minister’s mid-night statement leading to KCR giving up his fast, and Chidambaram’s statement igniting fire in two other parts of the state – coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema – by integrationists, the unabated violence in the campuses of Osmania University (Hyderabad) and Kakatiya University (Warangal), all these developments helped to the advantage of TRS.  And, the Congress central leadership had to take the place for the continuance of political unrest in the state due to its short-sighted political initiatives. 

Since then the TRS spearheaded its violent movement, but restrained as the Congress constituted Justice BN Srikrishna Committee, giving an impression that it  had fulfilled its promises of beginning the process for state bifurcation by asking the panel to elicit view points of all stakeholders and submit its recommendations.  But, it would not like to leave an opportunity to create scare among the Central leadership on state bifurcation.  As part of that exercise, the TRS and its supportive organizations like T-JAC of Prof Kodandaram and the students JAC of OU and Kakatiya Universities, decided to derive maximum advantage of the Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy’s ‘Odarpu yatra’, in spite of his appeals not to see his visit to Warangal in political angle.

But, for TRS, the fear of the by-elections, which are scheduled to be held in next couple of months, become major concern and remain to be in news for some reason or the other.  The past experiences of ‘major set backs’ to that party in by-polls haunting TRS leadership like a shadow.  The party had no great hopes on getting a positive report from the ongoing Srikrishna panel.  This was evident from KCR’s veil threats of ‘civil war’  if the Committee submits negative report in December.  The recent Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s reported remarks on new states’ formation also become a major worrying factor to KCR and his party. The Prime Minister made it clear on the occasion of his government’s first anniversary that creation of smaller states is not in his party-led UPA coalition government's priorities.

Well, for whatever reasons, the TRS and its supporters might have chosen the path of confrontationist to prevent the Kadapa MP’s ‘Odarpu yatra’; it served their purpose for being in news yet again.  They proved that they indeed capable of creating a ‘civil war’ like situations.  At the same time, by knowingly or unknowingly also scored a ‘bonus’ point of pushing the main Opposition Telugu Desam from getting its due coverage on an important day like the party’s foundation day and its founder president N T Rama Rao’s birth day.

The same yard stick may be applied even in case of Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, who like his father, determined to build his career as strong ‘mass leader’ rather than count as one among many politicians sons.  Like his father, he understood that ‘credibility’ is the major factor in today’s politics to get people’s acceptance.  If his father chose the path and accomplished as ‘madama tippani neta’ (A man who will not go back on his promise), the young scion too appears gaining that acceptance.  His determination to go ahead with the “Odarpu Yatra’ in spite of the alleged party high command’s flat ‘no’ indeed helped the party more than it expected. 

If the state bifurcation issue has attained national importance with almost all major national channels running debates in their ‘prime time’ slots, so was Jaganmohan Reddy’s image. He now, has  become a national ‘hero’ for his dare-devil attempt as yesterday's incident let rest of the country’s population know how a committed leader he is to pay back the gratitude.(29-05-2010)

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Maoists menace: Time for Chidambaram to accept YSR ‘mantra’

Maoists menace: Time for Chidambaram to accept YSR ‘mantra’ - Bhandaru Srinivas Rao

The unabated violence unleashed by the ‘reds’ (left wing extremists) yet again claimed 50 lives, including 12 cops, when they blew a bus triggering an improvised explosive device (IED) near Danttenwada in Chattisgarh. This comes close on the heels just over a month after the Maoists gunned down 76 CRPF jawans in Chintalnar and a visibly panicked Union Home Minister P Chidambaram feels he has a limited mandate and seek for more to tackle the naxal menace.

Who is responsible for fresh spurt of naxal violence? I feel the government as well the left-wing extremists groups was equally responsible. If I wish to blame the ‘reds’ for their indiscriminate and senseless killings of innocents, then the Centre for not addressing the issue in right perspective and using brute force, which only prove counter-productive. The Centre’s decision to weed out Maoists from their hideouts spread over in 5-7 states, including West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Chattisgarh, besides Andhra Pradesh by forming “Green hunt” was undoubtedly a provocative move to push the Maoists to wall and carry out counter-attacks. As a result, one could witness fresh spurt in their violence.

Can a brute force help put an end to left-wing extremist violence? What’s the root cause for Maoists spread and their menace? Should one construe it as a mere ‘law and order’ problem as did by our learned Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, or a ‘socio economic problem’ which was the view point of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy?

Andhra Pradesh too was a victim of naxal menace for more than two decades. Successive governments viewed it differently. If the TDP founder-president N T Rama Rao initially put forth an argument that naxals were true patriots, he was quick to realize he made a mistake and deal with them firmly. His government had also raised elite “Greyhounds” And, as a result, his party lost the 1989 elections. The Congress government, which took over the resins under the leadership of Dr M Chenna Reddy, viewed it differently. He said ‘naxal menace’ was not a mere law and order problem, but a ‘socio-economic’ factor. He was the first Congress Chief Minister to take the initiative to prepare the road map for overall economic development, especially in inaccessible villages by improving communication net work, under the Remote Areas Development Scheme (RADS). But, his short stint as Chief Minister ended quickly and was replaced by N Janardhan Reddy, who had to impose a ‘blanket ban’ on naxals, following the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi by LTTE in at Sriperumbadur during an election campaign in Tamil Nadu. What prompted Reddy to draw such a parallel between LTTE and Maoists may be a difficult question to answer.

The successive Telugu Desam government continued the ban as a result of America’s decision to include Indian Maoists in dreaded list of terrorists outfits world over after the 9/11 attacks in that country. But, it was the Congress Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, who saw his party bounce back to power in 2004, declared that his government hereafter view the Maoists issue as a ‘socio economic’ problem and hence decided to hold talks with left-wing groups to identify the core issues that they chose to confront as government’s failure.

Though the talks apparently failed and the determined YSR government took the initiative to implement host of developmental schemes, including that of disbursement of surplus land to landless poor and several economic doles such as ‘Pavala vaddi” to benefit the Self-Help Women Groups, old age pensions to rural poor, employment guarantee scheme for unemployed rural youth, besides his mighty Rs One thousand lakh crore ‘Jala Yagnam” to build more than two dozen major and minor irrigation projects. Thus, YSR government neutralized the Maoists propaganda of anti-poor policies as majority of these schemes were meant to target those BPL groups.

Simultaneously, the YSR government had also given ‘free hand’ to state police to tackle senseless naxal violence and intensified anti-Maoists propaganda systematically whenever they tried to stall government sponsored development activities. As a result, the police could accomplish success after success in not only eliminating several top Maoists leaders and strategists responsible for innocent killings and destruction of government properties, but also silenced the so called ‘human rights’ activists from dare not hold ‘briefs’ for the Maoists. The state police could also successfully unearth huge arms dumps in forest tracks where the Maoists were active, and broke their backs by seizing their arms manufacturing units in Tamil Nadu and elsewhere.

Andhra Police never faced such huge successes and even received accolades from the then Centre (UPA-1 government) for putting down left-wing extremist senseless violence. YSR’s first five years proved glorious as his government could drive the naxals out of its state peripheries.

Driven out naxals from Andhra could find havens in the neighboring small states creating nightmares to governments in power. Ironically, the Centre too faulted for viewing the growing left-wing extremists violence spread to newer states as law and order problem and made mockery by issuing ‘alarming statements’ by the Union Home Ministry is that the Maoists trying to overthrow the Union government by 2020. It did not stop there. It declared launch of ‘Operation Green Hunt’ by extending central para-military forces logistical support to those states which are facing naxal violence.

With that backdrop, the Union Home Minister decision to seek bigger mandate to tackle Maoists menace, not only sounds ‘funny’ but also ‘ridiculous’. Being a seasoned politician, he should have realized his mistake of using force against Maoists proves only counter-productive and instead of taken a leaf out of “YSR mantra” – dual attack to tackle the menace by initiating development schemes aggressively and effectively (though they may not be 100 per cent successful in implimentation) and also deal firmly if the Maoists indulge in senseless violence. To me, the naxal menace is growing in some of those states like Orissa and Chattisgarh due to huge mineral wealth. If the Maoists in Andhra spearheaded their struggle on ‘land to tiller’ slogan, then in these states they could successfully convince the major tribal population in these two states forest tracks to protect their mineral wealth.

Shouldn’t Chidambaram, instead of seeking bigger mandate like using aerial power to crush naxal hideouts, address the fundamental issue like socio-economic backgrounds of people living in these states? Is it not the responsibility of the parties in power to redress the people’s problem instead of looking for un-audited Central funds to fight the left-wing extremism in their home turfs?

Is not time for the Centre and Chidambara, besides the concerned state governments which were ruffled with naxal menace to realize the ground realities and follow the Andhra pattern, which proved ‘successful?

-Bhandaru Srinivas Rao,(I.I.S.) - 18-05-2010

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By-polls – parties pushed into piquant situation! - Bhandaru Srinivas Rao (I.I.S.)

By-polls – parties pushed into piquant situation! - Bhandaru Srinivas Rao (I.I.S.)


Will major political parties like the ruling Congress and its arch rival Telugu Desam dare field candidates in the forthcoming by-elections to 12 assembly constituencies for which elections necessitated due to the resignation of 10 Telangana legislators and one each of PRP and BJP protesting against the delay in bifurcation of separate statehood for Telangana?

Though the Election Commission is yet to issue notification, the debate is on for and against to field candidates in both these major political parties. Contrary to this, the TRS- whose legislators, resigned en masse soon after the Centre announced its decision to constitute Justice Srikrishna Committee to elicit views of all stake holders, it is yet to decide whether to contest by polls at all or not. A section within TRS is of the firm view by boycotting the polls by not fielding its nominees in the by polls only help strengthen the cause, rather contest to win or lose. Such a bold initiative indeed will throw up an interesting debate that ever witness in Indian political arena. And such a conscious decision is within the purview of Indian democratic process as every Indian enshrined with right to vote or not be taken according to his conscience. No where the Constitution is rude to say that every Indian should (read must) take part in any election.

Well, the democratic process can not be stopped there, if the TRS so desires to boycott polls. If any other political party willing to contest, they can do so! Yet, by not contesting polls, the TRS will certainly send right signals about its commitment towards the cause for which the party was formed.

But, within that party, some feel that none of the Opposition should field their nominees against those who resigned earlier and enter by polls fray. Well, it may sound good, but how far the two major stakeholders in state politics – nationalist Congress and regional party like Telugu Desam – let such golden opportunity go waste. In both the past two by-elections since 2004 clearly indicate the Congress and TDP as major benefactors at the expense of TRS.

But, what will happen, if the Congress and TDP, for some reason decide not to field their official nominees? Still none can stop those aspiring to enter the fray as independents even in case those who resigned re-enter the fray.

To me it appears that no party which believes in democracy dare lose the opportunity they get in the form of elections. It will be foolish to think that the Congress and TDP will not field their official nominees. Now, one has to wait and see how shrewd TRS founder president K Chandrasekhara Rao will act. Though, he and his party supporters held out veil threats to their opponents of dire consequences if they enter the electoral fray, yet they cannot prevent them to do so.

It appears that it is TRS which will be risking more than its rivals contesting polls. Simply because, TRS is being put to test time and again to prove their claim that Telangana sentiment exists and strong. But, past experiences clearly show that it failed to prove beyond a point as it could not ensure all its nominees who contested win hands down. Many may argue that an election should not be used as a yard stick to pass on judgment on strong sentiment which prevails in several parts of the region. But, TRS baiters ponder, if the sentiment is so strong, then why the party failed to convert them into votes in elections. Neither TRS chief nor its ideologues able to give a convincing answer to this pertinent question.

In that backdrop, it would be wise for the TRS not to field its nominees in the by polls and instead concentrate on spearheading the movement. Of course, the danger of that party being branded as ‘radical’ outfit cannot be ruled out. Already, the Congress MP, Lagadapati Rajagopal, had already petitioned with the Election Commission demanding why not derecognize the party, which whipping up regional passions, especially threatening of a ‘civil war.’ (03-05-2010)

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Jagan’s juggernaut scare rivals - Bhandaru Srinivasrao (I.I.S.)

Jagan’s juggernaut scare rivals - Bhandaru Srinivasrao (I.I.S.)

The “Odarpu Yatra” of the Kadapa MP, Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, appears to have not only sent shivers down the spines of the main Opposition Telugu Desam party, but also the former chief minister’s baiters, who successfully stalled the young scion ‘succession’ efforts after his father and former chief minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s death in a chopper crash..

Realizing possible opposition within the party’s rank and file, the young scion, in a calculated move, choose to take the nod of Chief Minister K Rosaiah as well the PCC Chief D Srinivas, besides the state’s political affairs in-charge and Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily, before taking up his “Odarpu Yatra’ (Consoling those who laid down or lost lives in the form of either ‘shock’ or ‘suicide’ on hearing the tragic news of his father and former chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s death in a chopper crash).

However, the programme had to be put off for a while due to political turmoil in the state over bifurcation issue. With dust being somewhat settled with the Centre constituting Srikrishna Committee to begin the ‘consultation’ process to accomplish ‘consensus’, Jagan too got clearance from the party higher ups to show his family’s gesture to all those died on hearing his father’s chopper crash news.

 His first-leg whirlwind four day tour of West Godavari proved to be a grand success with crowds milling at every of his meeting and all through the route he traveled. Though, he initially restrained himself not to talk politics, but the unprecedented crowds he drew made him speak about his father’s achievements. He described his late father first five-year tenure as ‘Swarna yugam’ (meaning golden era). He said his father, who strived for the uplift of poor, ensured all his schemes benefit them one way or the other. He vouched to strive for continuance of all those schemes.

The developments in the state congres during the post YSR era,made themain opposition TDP to expect intra squabbles within the Congress over the ‘succession’ issue will weaken the ruling party. The party was also quite happy for the Congress high command foisting K Rosaiah as Chief Minister, as they construed him as a ‘weak-knead’ leader.

That their calculations have gone hay-wire is evident from the fact that Rosaiah not only asserting himself and gaining control over the administration as day passes, but also the Jagan’s juggernaut receiving such tumultuous response, has become a major worrying factor.

Added to this, the Opposition TDP party is also pushed to the wall as it has to take a final call on the state’s bifurcation issue. In fact, the Telugu Deam party was born to promote unity of Telugus and protect their ‘self-respect.’ But, today, the party, like congress, is virtually divided on state’s bifurcation issue and while one section supports the ‘separate statehood for Telangana”, the other group strongly voicing for “integrated’ state.

Well, state bifurcation issue might have taken back seat for few more months as the Srikrishna Committee has begun the process, but with the by elections to 12 assembly constituencies which fell vacant due to the resignations of Telangana Rastra Samiti and Praja Rajyam, besides lone BJP member resigning, due sometime later, indeed put Naidu in a ‘fix’. If Jagan continue to get same response from the people in Telangana as he started distributing Rs 1 lakh compensation to each bereaved family, then even it may pose a serious threat to even TRS. Though the TRS has expressed its opposition to Jagan touring Telangana, can it stop its people from losing the benefit of compensation from Jagan? That’s the million dollar question only time will tell.

As far as Jagan is concerned, he got a great opportunity to travel length and breathe of the state under the ‘garb’ of ‘Odarpu Yatra’ to move closer to masses and win their hearts. Whether the slogans being rented air during his ‘yatra’ will be heard by the party high command or not, but he can boast of emerging himself as a mass leader like his father. Neither any one in Congress, nor in the Opposition could boast of such a claim. Chiranjeevi may be an exception as his yesteryear’s ‘mega star’ craze somewhat in tact.(13-04-2010)

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TDP’s hypocrisy exposed! - Bhandaru Srinivasrao

TDP’s hypocrisy exposed!




Telugu Desam Party MPs and MLAs belonging to Telangana region’s decision to link their resignations with the ruling Congress members over ‘bifurcation’ of state issue not only sounds ‘funny’ and ‘ridiculous’ and exposes its dual policy and hypocrisy.

In fact, Telugu Desam party was born only to enhance the pride of Telugus world over. The man who fathered the party, N T Rama Rao, indeed accomplished his dream as the hitherto “Madrasi” tag to Telugus among north Indians was permanently detached. Yet, for political compulsion, the party might have voiced its concern to the bifurcation issue, but never willing to be sincere.

This is clearly evident from its recent decisions. After fighting the 2009 general elections under the banner of “Mahakutami” along with separatist Telangna Rashtra Samiti, later parted ways after benefiting winning 39 seats of its 50-odd contested. On the other hand, the TRS, which had won 27 in 2004 elections combining with Congress, could end up winning just 10 out of 40-odd it contested. These results clearly exhibits that there was no uniformity in the so called ‘Telangana sentiment” and had it been there, the people of their region could have voted enthusiastically to either TRS per se or to “Mahakutami.’

Here political analysts may argue that since the Congress had also promised to ‘look into’ the ‘bifurcation’ issue had made voters of the region to side with the ruling party and help them win 56 seats of the total 119. Yet, it holds no water, as the 2009 elections, I personally as a political analyst, feel was ‘positive vote’ in favor of the ruling Congress under Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s stewardship, pushing other contentious issues, including separate Telangana to backdrop. That’s why the Telanganites voted enthusiastically in favor of Congress and never got attracted to the provocative statements of TRS leader K Chandrasekhara Rao. This pattern of voting was even witnessed after the party split, and the reduced 17-member KCR’s TRS forced by-elections and could retain just four or six.

Thus far, the so called ‘sentiment’ prevalence had not really reflected in the voting pattern. But, today, the scenario might have changed drastically for variety of reasons. People, cutting across their professions and practices, might have divided vertically and vociferously spearheading their agitations in favor of separate statehood. But, will they show same unity, in case of by elections, if they were forced? This is the million dollar question and none are willing to discuss.

As it is the Telangana JAC, which was formed by voluntary organizations and forums, besides roping in all major political parties of the region into it, today looks seized to exist. Fearing to face the wrath of party high command, the Congress MLAs walked out of JAC. The TRS, which in fact was born to fight for separate statehood and take the fight to its logical conclusion, had taken the decision to resign and they did precisely what they had been promising. So were others, one of the two BJP members and one of the two PRP members. Though two of the Congress legislators submitted their resignation, the Speaker is yet to accept hoping they may relent after following the party high command’s diktat.

Contrary to this, the Telugu Desam, which forms second largest party in T-JAC, decided to submit their resignations of 39 MLAs to JAC Convenor, Prof Kodandaram, rather than hand them over to the Assembly Speaker. Even their handing over of resignation was with a rider – i.e., provided 35-40 Congress MLAs too give their resignation letters. The TDP members argue that by resigning 40 or 50 MLAs from the region cannot create Constitutional crisis, as the government had the option to hold by-elections. It argues that unless majority of the 119 (at least 100) resign, then the Centre will have no other option, but to concede the separatists demand. Though their argument has some logic, yet their sincerity and earlier commitment got exposed.

Even the TRS leader finds fault with TDP for backing out as it feels, rightly so, if the entire Opposition resigns, the Congress members of the ruling party bound to get exposed. KCR is also confident Congress legislators facing the wrath of their constituents, if they relent. That the Congress members are being caught between ‘devil and deep sea’ kind situation is understandable. And the TRS strategy is to yet again prove the Congress as the ‘real Villain’ and solicit the other Opposition members’ support.

Contrary to this, the TDP member’s fear, if they too resign and the determined Congress which chose to order (read recommend) by-elections, then they may land in soup. Can they retain all their seats? Or face the same fate that of the TRS in the past, losing few even to the Congress?

I, for one, continue to ponder, whether the voting pattern too will be on ‘sentiment’, rather than other local and personalized issues like ‘caste’, ‘party’ and ‘individual’ factors?

In other words, the TDP too caught in identical situation like its arch-rivals Congress, though in a different format. Yet, what it failed to understand is that its ‘rigid’ stand linking with Cong got ‘exposed’. Its dual policy may as well do more harm than good to the party in coming days. (17-02-2010)

NOTE: All the images in this blog are copy righted to their respective owners.

రోశయ్యగారికి కోపమొచ్చింది -భండారు శ్రీనివాసరావు

రోశయ్యగారికి కోపమొచ్చింది -భండారు శ్రీనివాసరావు

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ముఖ్యమంత్రి పదవి రోశయ్య గారికి కోరుకుంటే వచ్చింది కాదు. ఆ మాటకి వస్తే ఆయన కోరుకున్నదీ లేదు. ఈ పదవిని కోరుకునేవారు, కోరుకున్నవారు ఎంతోమంది ఉన్నప్పటికీ - అదే వెతుక్కుంటూ వచ్చి ఆయన్ని వరించిందంటే సబబుగా ఉంటుందేమో. అందుకే, ఆరు నెలలు గడిచిన తరవాత కూడా ఆయన దాని మీద మమకారం పెంచుకున్న దాఖలాలు సయితం లేవు.

ఈ పదవి శాశ్వితం కాదని - అధిష్టానం ఆదేశిస్తే అరక్షణం కూడా ఆలస్యం చేయకుండా తప్పుకుంటాననీ గతంలో ఆయనే స్వయంగా అనేక పర్యాయాలు బాహాటంగా ప్రకటించారు. ముఖ్యమంత్రిగా పదవీ ప్రమాణ స్వీకారం చేసిన మరుక్షణం నుంచే నీడలా వెంటపడి వచ్చే 'హంగూ ఆర్భాటాలను' సయితం ఆయన చాలా రోజులు దూరం పెట్టారు. అంతేకాదు, లోగడ రాష్ట్రాన్ని పాలించిన కాంగ్రెస్ ముఖ్యమంత్రులు పాటిస్తూ వచ్చిన సంప్రదాయానికి విరుద్ధంగా - పదవిని స్వీకరించిన వెంటనే డిల్లీ విమానం ఎక్కని 'అరుదయిన కాంగ్రెస్ ముఖ్యమంత్రి' అనే రికార్డ్ కూడా ఆయన ఖాతాలో చేరింది. ఇంకా చెప్పాలంటే, కొరకరాని కొయ్య అని పేరుగాంచిన 'పోలీసు బాసు'ని రాత్రికి రాత్రే మార్చేసారు. తెలుగుదేశం అధినేత చంద్రబాబు నాయుడు గారు ముఖ్యమంత్రిగా వున్నప్పుడు, అంతకుముందు కొందరు కాంగ్రెస్ ముఖ్యమంత్రులతోను అతి సన్నిహితంగా పనిచేసిన అధికారిని కేవలం సమర్ధత పాతిపదికపై ప్రభుత్వ ప్రధాన కార్యదర్శిగా నియమించగలిగారు. అనేక జిల్లాలలో కలెక్టర్లను, ఎస్పీలను బదిలీ చేశారు. ఇంతకాలం రాజకీయ పార్టీలు అన్నింటికీ 'వోట్ల వనరు'గా ఉంటూ వస్తున్న తెల్ల రేషన్ కార్డుల ప్రక్షాళనకు సయితం నడుం కట్టారు.జనాకర్షక పధకాలలోని ఆర్దికపరమయిన మంచి చెడుల పట్ల దృష్టి సారించారు. ఆపద్ధర్మ ముఖ్య మంత్రి అని అందరూ అంటున్న వేళ - ' ఆంధ్ర ప్రదేశ్ కు ఇక రోశయ్యే ముఖ్య మంత్రి' అంటూ అధిష్టానం చేత ఆమోద ముద్ర వేయించుకుని- ఇన్ని చేసినా, చేస్తున్నా 'అసమర్ధ ముఖ్యమంత్రి' అన్న ముద్ర నుంచి తప్పించుకోలేకపోతున్నారు.

కీర్తిశేషులు సంజీవ రెడ్డి, బ్రహ్మానంద రెడ్డి, ఆచార్య రంగా వంటి ఉద్దండ రాజకీయ నేతలతో సాహచర్యం చేసి, రాజశేఖరరెడ్డి వంటి యువతరం నాయకులతో కలసి మెలిసి పని చేసి- అనేక సంవత్సరాలపాటు వివిధ మంత్రిత్వ శాఖలకు సారధ్యం వహించి, సర్వం వ్యాపారపరమయిన ప్రస్తుత రాజకీయరంగంలో ఇక ఇమడ లేనని తెలుసుకుని, ప్రత్యక్ష ఎన్నికలలో పోటీ చేసే వయసే కాదు, 'శక్తులూ యుక్తులూ' లేవని తెలుసుకుని తనకు తానుగా తప్పుకున్న తత్వం రోశయ్య గారిది. ఇంత సుదీర్ఘ కాలంనుంచీ రాజకీయ జీవితం గడుపుతున్నా అవినీతి ఆరోపణల మరక పడని నిబద్ధత ఆయనది.

ఆరుమాసాల క్రితం,

ఒక పెనువిషాదం రాష్ట్రాన్ని కమ్ముకున్న దురదృష్ట సమయంలో,

మేరు పర్వతం లాంటి ఒక నాయకుడిని రాష్ట్ర కాంగ్రెస్ కోల్పోయిన విపత్కర తరుణంలో,

రోశయ్య గారు ముఖ్య మంత్రి అయ్యారు.

అప్పటినుంచి ఇప్పటిదాకా ఆయన ప్రశాంతంగా గడిపిన సమయం బహు తక్కువ. ఒక దానివెంట మరొకటి చొప్పున సమస్యలు వరదల్లా వెల్లువెత్తాయి. సంబంధం వున్నవాటికీ, లేనివాటికీ ఆయన పరిష్కారాలు చూపలేకపోతున్నారన్న నిష్కారణ విమర్శలు ముంచెత్తాయి. అయినదానికీ, కానిదానికీ ఆయన సమర్ధతతో ముడిపెడుతూ టీవీల్లో చర్చోపచర్చలు సాగాయి. సాగుతున్నాయి.

ఆంద్ర ప్రదేశ్ వంటి అతి ముఖ్యమయిన రాష్ట్రానికి ముఖ్య మంత్రిగా వుండడం అంటే ఆషామాషీ వ్యవహారం కాదు. అందరి కళ్ళు నిశితంగా గమనిస్తుంటాయి. రాజకీయ లబ్దినీ, రాజకీయుల ద్వారా లబ్దినీ పొందాలనిచూసే శక్తుల 'శక్తియుక్తులు' అన్నీ ముఖ్యమంత్రి పీఠం చుట్టూనే పరిభ్రమిస్తుంటాయి.ఈ రకమయిన కుయుక్తి రాజకీయాలు నడిపే శక్తుల స్తాయినీ, స్తోమతనీ, సామర్ధ్యాన్నీ తక్కువగా అంచనా వేయడానికి వీలులేదు. యెంతో అనుభవాన్ని తనలో దాచుకున్న రోశయ్య గారు కూడా ఈ విషయంలో పొరబడుతారని అనుకోవడానికి ఆస్కారం లేదు.

రోశయ్య గారు ముఖ్యమంత్రి అయినప్పుడు - తలలు పండిన రాజకీయ విశ్లేషకులు కూడా ఆయన్ని 'రోజులు-వారాల ముఖ్యమంత్రి' గానే లెక్కవేశారు. అతి తక్కువ కాలం ముఖ్యమంత్రి అన్న అరుదయిన రికార్డుని సొంతం చేసుకుంటారన్న అందరి అంచనాలను తలకిందులు చేస్తూ ఆయన ఆరుమాసాల కాలాన్ని యిట్టె అధిగమించారు. తాత్కాలిక ప్రాతిపదికపైన శాశ్వితంగా కొనసాగే వీలుచాళ్ళు కానరావడంతో ముప్పేట దాడులు మొదలయ్యాయి. బయటి పోరుకు ఇంటిపోరు తోడయింది. రాజకీయ సన్యాసం తీసుకుందామనుకున్న పెద్దమనిషికి ప్రాంతీయతత్వం అంటగట్టే స్తాయికి ఆరోపణలు చెలరేగుతున్నాయి.

యెంత సంయమనశీలికయినా మనస్తాపం కలిగించే వ్యాఖ్యలు.

యెంత నిబ్బరం కలిగిన వ్యక్తికయినా కంపరం కలిగించే ప్రవర్తనలు.

ఈనాటి రాజకీయాల్లో ముఖ్య మంత్రి పదవికి హోదా వుండవచ్చేమో కానీ గౌరవం వున్నట్టు కానరావడం లేదు. పోనీ, ఆయన వయస్సును బట్టి అయినా, పెద్దరికాన్ని చూసి అయినా - ఇవ్వాల్సిన మర్యాద ఇస్తున్నట్టుగా కనిపించడం లేదు. అందుకే, అనుభవం ఎంతగా అడ్డుకుంటున్నా ఒక్కోసారి ఆయన ఆగ్రహాన్ని అణచుకోలేకపోతున్నారు. మనస్తాపానికి గురికాకుండా వుండలేకపోతున్నారు. అయినా వెంటనే సర్దుకుని పెద్దమనసుతో సర్దుకుపోతున్నారు. ఈ వయస్సులో ముఖ్యమంత్రి కావడం అన్నది ఆయనకున్న అనుభవానికి, సీనియారిటీకి దక్కాల్సిన గౌరవమే అయినప్పటికీ - అది సరయిన పద్ధతిలో దక్కడంలేదన్నదే ఆలోచించుకోవాల్సిన అంశం. పరిశుద్ధ రాజకీయాలు కోరుకునేవారందరూ పరిశీలించుకోవాల్సిన తరుణం.

-భండారు శ్రీనివాసరావు

11-02-2010

NOTE: All the images in this blog are copy righted to their respective owners.