In the first place, these by-elections were brought upon unnecessarily. Even if TRS MLAs get re-elected, their strength would not go up even by a single seat. It will be a status-quo situation. On the other hand, even a loss of one or two seats would be construed as a slur and that would affect very badly on the T-movement. Its detractors might conclude that movement lost steam.
Harish Rao realizes this predicament very well and is eager to ensure re-election of each and every candidate with a higher margin. In a bid to see that anti-TRS vote is split among its opponents, he is luring TDP into fray by daring them to contest in by-elections. In case TDP's T-leaders succeed in convincing Babu not to contest, then the fight would be between TRS and Congress only and TRS will be forced to put up a keen fight.
TRS is always training its guns on TDP more than against Congress. Probably it wants to eliminate TDP from T-region. Majlis too believes that if Telengana is formed, TDP would be eclipsed and its place would be occupied by BJP.
TDP is on the defensive and to secure its position, it is painting TRS as hand-maid of Congress. ‘TRS is attacking TDP, at the behest of Congress’, TDP leaders often complain. People are eagerly looking for unearthing of nexus between TRS and Congress.
In these circumstances, is it wise on the part of the TRS president to talk of merger into Congress? Forget the caveats, pre-conditions etc. The very word of merger should not have been uttered, I believe, to avoid confusion and bewilderment in the cadre.
The third and most important issue on hand is about KCR's utterances on students' involvement in the movement.
So far it is believed that KCR went to Osmania and Kakatiya varisities in October 2009 and roped them in the movement. He could convince and motivate them so well that even when he wanted to break his fast-unto-death, the students did not allow him to do so taking the mantle into their hands. But KCR's statement has altered that image altogether.
KCR is being criticized for soft-pedaling the movement after his meet with Chidambaram. He is stung by the criticism and said recently that it was impossible to remain in high-temper 24X7 and that he did not want to repeat the mistakes of 1969 agitation which ended like a damp squib.
He expects us to believe that –
- his asking TRS legislators to resign was a strategy,
- not resigning Parliamentary posts was a strategy,
- handing over invalid resignations was a strategy,
- his remaining inactive for the three months was a strategy.
We can safely conclude whatever he does or does not is a strategy towards the goal of achieving separate state.
But sadly his detractors are not accepting his logic. They started saying whatever vim the movement gained was due to the participation of students. This has pricked KCR and he has blasted out in his party meeting on May 11 - "Do you think these students have fallen from skies? We made them. We have trained them for 90 days. We have spent lacs of rupees on their boarding, lodging and conveyance. Only with this kind of grooming students could put of good fight."
As any observer would say - this was the most thoughtless comment came from KCR. It is quite insulting to the student community.
So far it was perceived that they were outraged at the injustice meted out to their province and strong emotions led them fight against present rulers. They did not mind laying their lives for the cause that they held so dear to their bosom. They have criminal cases running against them.
They killed themselves dousing kerosene/petrol leaving their parents wailing behind. They know they would be forgotten soon, their kin would not be given ticket in election, and there is no guarantee that the compensation, if announced, would reach them in full. Still they committed suicides.
But KCR's statement has altered the image drastically. Now it came out in open that the reaction of the students was not spontaneous. It was well-rehearsed. They were trained for 90 days! Pray tell me what were they trained in?
In conducting Padayatras and Garjanas?
In pelting stones against police?
In breaking the public property and vehicles of private citizens?
In setting fire to petrol bunks?
In insisting that funeral processions to Gun park?
In kicking and assaulting visiting non-TRS leaders?
In driving Madiga and non-Madiga wedge among student folk?
Okay, leave the violence part of the students. How many student leaders delivered good speeches? They were merely mouthing same old lines - injustice in jobs, irrigation etc. without adding any thing new. (Every Garjana meeting had more singers than speakers)
Some of them went wild claiming that they would not allow A-people returning from their homes after spending festival into Hyderabad. One person said that T-doctors would not treat A-patients. We thought those were emotional, whimsical outbursts and should be ignored. But now it is apparent that they were trained to utter so.
TRS seems to have trained only Osmania and Kakatiya varsity students. Probably that was the reason why students from other institutions did not participate in the agitation actively. For some time, Osmania campus alone was acting as citadel of T-agitation and the credit must go the trainers at TRS office.
One more thing we need to acknowledge at this juncture is - the expertise with which the violent acts perpetuated on Osmania campus created a suspicion in investigating agencies that Maoists were involved in these attacks. It means the trainers could impart Maoist-like skills to the student-agitators.
Whatever be the amount of time, money and energy TRS has spent on these students, ideally it should have been under a cloak. It is not desirable to come out in cold print. In an attempt to rival the credibility students have been enjoying as selfless agitators, KCR spilled the beans and tried to take the credit of manufacturing such martyrs. Picking up quarrel with students is a major risk any politician would take and God knows why KCR indulged in this.
Next day some student organizations posed 17 questions to KCR blaming him for certain acts of omissions and commissions. They mainly blamed his wrong strategies and attempts to split students. But it has to be noted here that they did not dispute KCR's claim regarding training of students. They merely asked KCR to disclose how the money had been spent.
The mystery behind what transpired between KCR and Chidambaram in their January meet seems to haunt us for long. It is rumored that on being shown his dossier, KCR promised to sabotage the T-movement. But it is very difficult to swallow that rumor since KCR would go out of reckoning once T-movement dies down and why would any politician, let alone KCR, would commit political suicide?
But the students seem to be nurturing some doubts in this regard. That is why one of their 17 questions is based on this aspect. But surely, KCR is not going to oblige them.
Only history can tell why KCR, the astute politician, is behaving the way he is behaving these days. (concluded)
MBS PRASAD
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