KCR surprised one and all by announcing his willingness to strengthen the hands of Cong and going into its bear-hug again. He walked in and out of UPA Govt at centre and Cong led Govt at state earlier but the experience did not wizen him, it seems. If there is a strategy behind this statement, well.., I am afraid, it goes above the head of an ordinary T-activist.
KCR now says that Cong already gave away T state thru Dec 09 statement. Then what about Dec 23 statement, reporters ask him. Oh, that was because of TDP, he dismisses. Well, whoever is the culprit - TDP or DTP; the fact lies that T state did not materialize. And if Cong was willing, it would not have taken this long. Why is he missing that point?
Till the other day, he was blaming Lagadapati for stalling the process of T-formation. And Lagadapati happens to be Cong MP. And what about Jagan, who held United AP placard in parliament? Why mention only two? Each and every Cong MLA and MP from A-region opposed formation of T state. This is noted by every single individual in T. Only KCR got a different vision and version.
After Dec 23 statement. KCR went personally to Jana Reddy to form JAC to scuttle the efforts of ‘A’ Cong leaders. He called Dec 23 statement as betrayal and blamed Cong lead UPA for yielding to pressure from the other side. He lamented that ‘A’ leaders (Cong + TDP) did not allow them to savor the scent of success even for 24 hours. Between Dec 10th and 23rd, when the spree of resignations in ‘A’ area was raging like wild fire, KCR and friends sat tight hoping that UPA would take care of them. But was it not the Cong led- UPA govt which belied their hopes and took a U-turn on Dec 23?
KCR might forget this, but T-activists do not.
Then came the announcement of Sri Krishna Committee indicating that a long process is round the corner and ‘T’ state would not be formed in 2010. And when the guidelines were announced it was clear to everyone that UPA brought the situation to pre-Dec 09 position. The committee was asked to consider all the options including united AP. KCR was so aghast that he immediately (even without consulting JAC) announced resignations of all his MLAs. Was it not the same Cong-led UPA which perturbed KCR then?
KCR might forget this, but T-activists do not.
The problem with KCR is - he does not take even his close followers into confidence before announcing major shift in far-reaching policies. When he declared that all those who are born in T are treated as Telenganites to enjoy the benefits on par with sons of the soil, no one in his party concurred with him. Not even his heir-apparent, KTR and Man Friday, Kodandaram. They wondered how they would explain their ranks who were puzzled about the very purpose of their agitation.
As per Cong leaders like Gutta, even if you are a citizen of T state, you should not be entitled for any benefits on par with sons of the soil, if any of your ancestors came down from A region, like in the case of author Chakravarthi. 'If Cong leaders can get away with such argument, why should our leader talk in a reconciliatory tone?' TRS worker wondered. Though his followers wanted KCR to retract his statement, he did not oblige them.
Now the Duggal issue; Again KCR talked very sensibly but it is diametrically opposite to what his followers felt and said. His son says Duggal's dinner at TSR's place is like judge visiting the accused. His daughter Kavita asked Duggal to quit the committee. I appreciate KCR's sane statements like this but I wish he takes the cadre along with him and makes them see reason. But he just issues the statement and watches the fun while his army gropes in darkness.
If this statement exonerating Cong for all its sins (he says Cong need not give submit memorandum to Committee) is bound to create bewilderment, the extension of the statement that he would stand by Cong sows seeds of suspicion about his ulterior motives.
Why KCR behaved like a bull in T-shop? Let me guess.
It is an open secret that KK is trying to become CM and Jagan’s camp firmly opposes him along with VH because of their YS-baiting. Supposing KK requests Sonia for CM-ship, she would ask “What if Jagan walks out with his ten or so followers?” KK might reply “TRS MLAs can come to our rescue.” Sonia would be skeptical -“Who can trust KCR? Would he publicly support us?”
In their 4-hour long discussion, KK must have sought support and public announcement from KCR while reminding him that it was he who blew up the gravity of situation on Dec 09 and made KCR almost a martyr. He had been a friend of TRS all along lobbying for them, inflating their strength in the eyes of high command. KCR could not say no and hence this statement in favor of Cong. Let Cong cadres join TRS cadres to harass TDP leaders and annihilate the party. That would enable TRS to fill the vacuum and garner anti-establishment votes in the forthcoming elections.
As I said earlier, this is pure, unadulterated guess (you might contemptuously say – gas). Even if there is an iota of truth in this, KCR would do well to confide in his immediate comrades and see that the line of thinking percolates down the line to avoid utter chaos at grass-root level.
MBS Prasad
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