Given the intensity of the ongoing Samikyandhra agitation and the uncertainty over the formation of a separate Telangana state, a senior Congress leader has commented that the powers in Delhi did little to assess the conditions and consequences of bifurcating the state. He said that the Congress high command did not consider the key issues that would crop up before announcing its decision to separate the state. If one looks at the dramatic developments that have been taking place in Delhi during the past one month, one cannot but second his opinion.
However, one thing is for sure. All political parties in AP have shown irresponsible behaviour regarding the state bifurcation. With their short term goal of garnering votes during the 2014 elections, they have stopped short of addressing the genuine concerns of people regarding the bifurcation.
On the day the Congress Working Committee announced its decision to bifurcate the state, it looked like the formation of Telangana was imminent. There was a feeling that a solution was found for the long-pending problem. But as time passes by, there appear to be many hurdles in the formation of a separate state.
The strong opposition from Seemandhra people came as a surprise to various political parties. People from Seemandhra turning up in thousands and lakhs to protest against the proposed bifurcation is drawing attention from various quarters. The buses haven’t been plying in the region for the past 15 days.
The government offices have remained closed. Goes without saying, it’s the common man who is suffering the most. But the agitation has only intensified with each passing day. This has come as a surprise to the Congress High Command.
Earlier, TRS head honcho K Chandra Sekhara Rao had announced that Telangana will not happen in the near future and was preparing for the 2014 polls. Even the Telangana Congress MLAs and MPs reconciled to the fact that a separate Telangana was still a long way to go. Accordingly, two Congress MPs Manda Jagannadam and Vivek joined the TRS.
It was at this time that the Congress High Command organized a massive rally involving the Congress Telangana leaders and in a swift move announced the formation of a separate Telangana state. Their game plan surprised even the Telangana people. Just when the people in Telangana were getting used to the idea, the agitations in Seemandhra gained momentum.
The instigating comments made by KCR further added fuel to the fire. Suddenly, Hyderabad became the bone of contention for both the sides. It is interesting to note Chief Minsiter Kiran Kumar Reddy’s warning regarding the sharing of waters and power crisis if the bifurcation were to happen.
It can be said that it was the first time that a CM had openly opposed the Congress High Command’s decision. Being an integrationist, he even threatened to resign from the post if the Congress High Command went ahead with its decision to bifurcate the state.
The Seemandhra Congress leaders too showed their strong opposition to the move. The TDP and YSRCP Congress leaders from Seemandhra joined the protests.
The way the Seemandhra people joined together to protest against the carving out of the state and showed their anger towards Congress President Sonia Gandhi has stunned the entire nation and drew attention from all quarters.
With no option left, the High Command was forced to appoint the Anthony Committee to look into the issues and concerns of the Seemandhra people. Till the committee submits its reports, the central government is in no position to formalize the formation of Telangana. However, both Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have made it clear that they will not go back on the Telangana issue.
While this has provided some clarity, there are doubts about the formation of Telangana before the 2014 elections. The Telangana leaders are hopeful that the process will gain momentum once the current Parliament session is over. PCC ex president D Srinivas is of the opinion that the Telangana will be formally formed before 2014 Sankranti. Another rumour is that the state will be a reality before Sonia Gandhi’s birthday which falls on December 9.
But if this were to happen, it is necessary that the demands of the Seemandhra people are met. There are doubts regarding the security of Seemandhra people in the new state. So, Hyderabad being made into a union territory or into a separate state are a couple of demands. However, it has already been announced that the police and law order powers will be vested with the central government. But the Seemandhra people are demanding for more security. On the other hand, the Telangana leaders are against sharing Hyderabad or making it into a union territory. The central government has not clarified if the revenues generated in Hyderabad will be shared between the two regions. Seemandhra people in Hyderabad are also worried about their job security. Will they get jobs in Hyderabad in future is a question that is on the minds of many. What if the future Telangana government decides to give private and government jobs only to local candidates? If these are some of the concerns, many are doubtful if the Centre will amend article 371 D to carve out a separate Telangana state. If they don’t, then, will it be possible to give a new state? These are some of the many questions that are yet to be answered.
There is still no clear cut plan regarding the sharing of water. Keeping this in mind, the Cabinet has decided to prepare a note to this affect. This will have to go to at least 10 ministries. The process will take at least two to three weeks. Even if they speed up the process, it has to then go to the President before it is presented in the Assembly. Its approval in the Assembly is another vital issue. Will the CM Kiran Kumar Reddy support the initiative? Even if he supports it, will it be passed in the Assembly? According to a source, President Pranab Mukherjee is said to be of the opinion that it is not appropriate to go ahead with the bifurcation if the resolution is not passed in the Assembly. If that is true, then the bifurcation process is likely to slow down. If the resolution is not passed and the Central government decides to go ahead with its decision by imposing the President’s rule, then will be it morally or constitutionally correct?
After all this, the bill has to be presented before the Lok Sabha for ratification. Will the BJP come up with a new litigation then? is one area of concern. There is also a strong possibility that the Seemandhra Congress MPS and TDP may create ruckus in the Parliament. Will the High Command suspend them to go ahead with the bill?
To begin with, will six months be enough for the entire process to be completed? Already, a month has gone by. If another month passes by similarly, it is highly unlikely for the Telangana state to become a reality before the 2014 elections. This is surely to disappoint the pro-Telangana activists. But it cannot be said at this time that the Congress High Command will go back on its decision.
Had the process begun a year back, it would have been finished by now. But they started the process exactly eight months before the elections. They made the right calculation by including 215 days. However, they now want to finish it in 180 days. But there are doubts about the process being completed in such a short time.
Till now, the Cabinet note hasn’t been prepared. So, it is necessary that they announce some key decisions regarding Telangana in September to speed up the process. This will help in removing hurdles and creating the state before 2014 elections. Else, Telangana will not happen before the elections!
