V V Balakrishna
Express News Service
Last Updated : 09 Mar 2012 11:53:03 AM IST
HYDERABAD: The outcome of the Assembly elections in five states has rejuvenated the hopes of Telugu Desam to play a key role in formation of a formidable third front at the national level. TDP was the only party in the country which was recognised as the main opposition in the Lok Sabha in 1984. It played a key role in the formation of National Front and United Front governments at the Centre.
Analysing the outcome of the elections in five states, the TDP is of the view that the Congress is fast declining in national politics and the BJP is not growing as fast to fill the space. On the other hand, the regional parties are becoming very strong, Naidu feels that the next government in Delhi will be formed by the third front made up of regional parties.
Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu, who had played a catalytic role in the formation of anti-Congress governments at the Centre, is in touch with Naveen Patnaik, Jayalalithaa, Mulaym Singh Yadav, Mamata Benerjee and other leaders.
Naidu, however, does not have the ambition of becoming prime minister in case the third front forms government at the Centre. “My services and abilities will be utilised for Andhra Pradesh,” Naidu clarifies, saying that he is interested in becoming chief minister once again.
But a friendly government at the Centre will help the TDP, if it is voted to power, to secure more funds and schemes to the state.
“Though people elected a huge number of Congress MPs in 2009, they failed to pressure the Centre for required funds,” a TDP leader alleges.
Naidu is banking on the Left and other regional parties in his mission to forge a new front and bring it to power at the Centre but some leaders like Dadi Veerabhadra Rao suggest moving closer to the BJP to achieve the goal of keeping the Congress out of power.
That is why Naidu is talking of “cooperative federalism” these days. It means that if the third front of regional parties falls short of the magic figure in the Lok Sabha, he wants the BJP to extend outside support to the third front government, a throwback to the National Front days.
Despite the strong presence of the TRS in Telangana and of YSR Congress in Andhra and Rayalaseema, the TDP supremo is confident that people will give the TDP a decisive victory next time.
Meanwhile, while touring Jagadevipeta in Kovur on Thursday to canvass for his party candidate Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy Nellore, TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu admitted he had neglected the agricultural sector during his party’s nine-year rule of the state and it had proved costly and kept him out of power for eight years now.
Naidu said that had he maintained good relations with farmers and provided them with seven hours of free power supply, he would have continued in power.
Friday, 9 March 2012
Sunday, 4 March 2012
Naidu, KCR get down and dirty in bypoll battle
“Rao always claims that he will bury the TDP, but these bypolls will be their last.” N Chandrababu Naidu
V V BALAKRISHNA
Last Updated : 04 Mar 2012 10:09:18 AM IST
HYDERABAD: Byelections to seven Assembly segments, including six in Telangana region, is the fresh bone of contention between Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) president K Chandrasekhara Rao.
Both the leaders are suing choicest epithets to defame each other the moment the election commission sounded the bypoll bugle.
Chandrasekhara Rao is always known for his harsh and incisive language. Surprisingly, TDP chief Naidu too matched word for word.
Interestingly, sometime back in 2009 Rao descended on Naidu’s residence and forged an electoral alliance with the TDP. Now, after three years all love seems to have lost between the two leaders. Recently, Rao said that he would cut Naidu’s tongue.
Reacting to this, Naidu said that byelections would be the last elections for TRS, as the party would be wiped out from the region.
“TRS president Rao always wants to bury the TDP. This time, TRS will be buried in the grave dug by it,” Naidu said. In the 2009 elections, TDP gave 45 seats to TRS, of which, the TRS won only ten seats. “If there was no alliance with TRS, TDP would have won more seats,” Naidu regretted.
He also blamed the TRS for fighting for “notes and votes”. What Naidu meant was that TRS would collect money in the name of elections and secure votes and then again go for
byelections. “When YSR Reddy was chief minister, he sold away valuable government lands in Telangana region. TRS chief Rao was silent then. He never protested the injustice meted out by YSR to Telangana region. Now, Rao is in touch with YSR’s son Jagan Mohan Reddy over phone,”
It is obvious that Naidu’s outburst has upset TRS chief Rao. He reacted sharply. Rao, in his typical fashion, used Urdu words to rebuke Naidu. Rao used “Latkor and Buddarkhan” while insulting Naidu. “When did you become a He-Man to bury the TRS?” Rao said. The TRS leader wanted to know how Naidu’s son Nara Lokesh Naidu studied in Stanford University. “People want to know from which account, Naidu had paid the money to Lokesh’s education in US, and how did Naidu’s mother Ammannamma get assets to the tune of `50 lakhs?”
Rao alleged that Naidu as chief minister allotted 97,000 acres of land to various industries. “When CBI probe was ordered against Naidu, he fell at the feet of Union Minister P Chidambaram in Vasanth Kunj Guest House of TDP MP Sujana Chowdary in Delhi and escaped from CBI probe,” Rao alleged.
TRS chief who is also Mahbubnagar Lok Sabha member declared that he would campaign against Naidu in each and every village of Telangana.
While Naidu claimed that he gave “Political Bhiksha” (alms) to Rao. In response the TRS leader shot back saying, it exposes the feudal tendency in Rao.
V V BALAKRISHNA
Last Updated : 04 Mar 2012 10:09:18 AM IST
HYDERABAD: Byelections to seven Assembly segments, including six in Telangana region, is the fresh bone of contention between Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) president K Chandrasekhara Rao.
Both the leaders are suing choicest epithets to defame each other the moment the election commission sounded the bypoll bugle.
Chandrasekhara Rao is always known for his harsh and incisive language. Surprisingly, TDP chief Naidu too matched word for word.
Interestingly, sometime back in 2009 Rao descended on Naidu’s residence and forged an electoral alliance with the TDP. Now, after three years all love seems to have lost between the two leaders. Recently, Rao said that he would cut Naidu’s tongue.
Reacting to this, Naidu said that byelections would be the last elections for TRS, as the party would be wiped out from the region.
“TRS president Rao always wants to bury the TDP. This time, TRS will be buried in the grave dug by it,” Naidu said. In the 2009 elections, TDP gave 45 seats to TRS, of which, the TRS won only ten seats. “If there was no alliance with TRS, TDP would have won more seats,” Naidu regretted.
He also blamed the TRS for fighting for “notes and votes”. What Naidu meant was that TRS would collect money in the name of elections and secure votes and then again go for
byelections. “When YSR Reddy was chief minister, he sold away valuable government lands in Telangana region. TRS chief Rao was silent then. He never protested the injustice meted out by YSR to Telangana region. Now, Rao is in touch with YSR’s son Jagan Mohan Reddy over phone,”
It is obvious that Naidu’s outburst has upset TRS chief Rao. He reacted sharply. Rao, in his typical fashion, used Urdu words to rebuke Naidu. Rao used “Latkor and Buddarkhan” while insulting Naidu. “When did you become a He-Man to bury the TRS?” Rao said. The TRS leader wanted to know how Naidu’s son Nara Lokesh Naidu studied in Stanford University. “People want to know from which account, Naidu had paid the money to Lokesh’s education in US, and how did Naidu’s mother Ammannamma get assets to the tune of `50 lakhs?”
Rao alleged that Naidu as chief minister allotted 97,000 acres of land to various industries. “When CBI probe was ordered against Naidu, he fell at the feet of Union Minister P Chidambaram in Vasanth Kunj Guest House of TDP MP Sujana Chowdary in Delhi and escaped from CBI probe,” Rao alleged.
TRS chief who is also Mahbubnagar Lok Sabha member declared that he would campaign against Naidu in each and every village of Telangana.
While Naidu claimed that he gave “Political Bhiksha” (alms) to Rao. In response the TRS leader shot back saying, it exposes the feudal tendency in Rao.
Do YSRC, TRS have a secret deal in Andhra?
VV Balakrishna
Express News Service
Last Updated : 04 Mar 2012 11:18:52 AM IST
HYDERABAD: The alleged nexus between the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) has become a subject of hot debate in political circles ahead of the by-elections in seven Assembly constituencies in the state.
There are allegations that the two parties have colluded with each other. The rumblings are more from the main opposition party, Telugu Desam (TDP), which sees TRS as a main threat in the Telangana and YSRCP in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.
What is the basis for the politicians to go to town on the alleged nexus?. They point out that TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao was in touch with YSRC party chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy over phone. “Rao is seeking money from Jagan during his telephone talk,” TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu has alleged.
TRS activists obstructed the tours of Chandrababu Naidu in Telangana. They hurled eggs and stones on the convoy of Naidu. But TRS activists did not obstruct Jagan’s tour of Armoor in Nizamabad district where he undertook a two-day fast for farmers.
When Jagan held a similar dharna in Hyderabad some time back there was no opposition from the TRS. “All these prove that TRS and YSRC party have a secret understanding,” TDP leaders alleged.
Naidu has made another allegation that former minister Jupalli Krishna Rao, who resigned as an MLA and is contesting on TRS ticket was actually Jagan’s man. “Jupalli is a Jagan’s man. He joined the TRS and is contesting again. This shows the nexus between the YSRCP and TRS,” Naidu alleged.
On the other hand, TRS chief Rao declared that his party would extend support to the Andhra Rashtra Samithi (ARS) candidate in Kovur in Nellore district and campaign against the TDP there. Rao’s critics say that campaigning against the TDP means supporting the YSRCP.
“Casting a vote for YSRC party candidate is accepting the division of the state,” said minor irrigation minster TG Venkatesh, indirectly hinting that YSRCP and TRS have a nexus.
Some say that YSRCP did not field its candidates in the six constituencies in Telangana because of its understanding with the TRS. However, YSRCP leaders clarified that they were supporting the separate Telangana statehood demand and did not field their candidates against those MLAs who resigned in support of the statehood cause.
Express News Service
Last Updated : 04 Mar 2012 11:18:52 AM IST
HYDERABAD: The alleged nexus between the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) has become a subject of hot debate in political circles ahead of the by-elections in seven Assembly constituencies in the state.
There are allegations that the two parties have colluded with each other. The rumblings are more from the main opposition party, Telugu Desam (TDP), which sees TRS as a main threat in the Telangana and YSRCP in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.
What is the basis for the politicians to go to town on the alleged nexus?. They point out that TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao was in touch with YSRC party chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy over phone. “Rao is seeking money from Jagan during his telephone talk,” TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu has alleged.
TRS activists obstructed the tours of Chandrababu Naidu in Telangana. They hurled eggs and stones on the convoy of Naidu. But TRS activists did not obstruct Jagan’s tour of Armoor in Nizamabad district where he undertook a two-day fast for farmers.
When Jagan held a similar dharna in Hyderabad some time back there was no opposition from the TRS. “All these prove that TRS and YSRC party have a secret understanding,” TDP leaders alleged.
Naidu has made another allegation that former minister Jupalli Krishna Rao, who resigned as an MLA and is contesting on TRS ticket was actually Jagan’s man. “Jupalli is a Jagan’s man. He joined the TRS and is contesting again. This shows the nexus between the YSRCP and TRS,” Naidu alleged.
On the other hand, TRS chief Rao declared that his party would extend support to the Andhra Rashtra Samithi (ARS) candidate in Kovur in Nellore district and campaign against the TDP there. Rao’s critics say that campaigning against the TDP means supporting the YSRCP.
“Casting a vote for YSRC party candidate is accepting the division of the state,” said minor irrigation minster TG Venkatesh, indirectly hinting that YSRCP and TRS have a nexus.
Some say that YSRCP did not field its candidates in the six constituencies in Telangana because of its understanding with the TRS. However, YSRCP leaders clarified that they were supporting the separate Telangana statehood demand and did not field their candidates against those MLAs who resigned in support of the statehood cause.
Saturday, 3 March 2012
16 Jagan campers disqualified
VV Balakrishna
Express News Service
Last Updated : 03 Mar 2012 12:08:24 PM IST
HYDERABAD: In what could be termed as an unprecedented decision in the history of the AP Legislative Assembly, Speaker Nadendla Manohar on Friday night disqualified 16 MLAs of the ruling Congress who had voted against the government during a no-trust motion in December last year, sailing with Kadapa MP and YSR Congress chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. The Speaker also accepted the resignation of Praja Rajyam MLA B Sobha Nagi Reddy, who too had backed Jagan.
The surprise development has brought down the strength of Congress from 154 to 137 in the 294-member House but does not threaten the Kiran Kumar Reddy government, which still enjoys the support of 17 PRP members and seven of MIM. However, disqualifications of the MLAs is bound to stir up much political heat. It must be recalled here that Congress and PRP, had filed petitions on December 12, seeking disqualification of the 17 rebel MLAs for defying the parties’ whip and voting in support of the no-confidence motion brought by the N Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP on famers’ issues. Nadendla Manohar has finally acted on the petitions after almost two months.
Analysts felt that the notification for another round of byelections for the 17 seats which will be issued in due course, may turn out to be a mini-Assembly election. It may be noted here that bypolls to seven vacant seats are scheduled for March 18.
List of disqualified Congress MLAs
--------------
1 Pilli Subhash Chandrabose - Ramachandrapuram
2 Balineni Srinivasa Reddy - Ongole
3 Kapu Ramachandra Reddy - Rayadurgam
4 Gurnatha Reddy - Anatapur
5 Mekapati Chandrasekhara Reddy - Udayagiri
6 G Srikanth Reddy - Rayachoti
7 Konda Surekha - Parakala
8 Prasada Raju - Narasapuram
9 Srinivasulu - Railway Koduru
10 K Chennakesava Reddy - Yemmiganur
11T Balaraju - Polavaram
12 Dharmana Krishna Das - Narsannapet
13 Amarnath Reddy - Rajampet
14 Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy - Macherla
15 Baburao - Payakaraopet
16 M Sucharita - Prattipadu
---
Resignation accepted
--
Sobha Nagireddy - Allagadda (PRP)
Express News Service
Last Updated : 03 Mar 2012 12:08:24 PM IST
HYDERABAD: In what could be termed as an unprecedented decision in the history of the AP Legislative Assembly, Speaker Nadendla Manohar on Friday night disqualified 16 MLAs of the ruling Congress who had voted against the government during a no-trust motion in December last year, sailing with Kadapa MP and YSR Congress chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. The Speaker also accepted the resignation of Praja Rajyam MLA B Sobha Nagi Reddy, who too had backed Jagan.
The surprise development has brought down the strength of Congress from 154 to 137 in the 294-member House but does not threaten the Kiran Kumar Reddy government, which still enjoys the support of 17 PRP members and seven of MIM. However, disqualifications of the MLAs is bound to stir up much political heat. It must be recalled here that Congress and PRP, had filed petitions on December 12, seeking disqualification of the 17 rebel MLAs for defying the parties’ whip and voting in support of the no-confidence motion brought by the N Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP on famers’ issues. Nadendla Manohar has finally acted on the petitions after almost two months.
Analysts felt that the notification for another round of byelections for the 17 seats which will be issued in due course, may turn out to be a mini-Assembly election. It may be noted here that bypolls to seven vacant seats are scheduled for March 18.
List of disqualified Congress MLAs
--------------
1 Pilli Subhash Chandrabose - Ramachandrapuram
2 Balineni Srinivasa Reddy - Ongole
3 Kapu Ramachandra Reddy - Rayadurgam
4 Gurnatha Reddy - Anatapur
5 Mekapati Chandrasekhara Reddy - Udayagiri
6 G Srikanth Reddy - Rayachoti
7 Konda Surekha - Parakala
8 Prasada Raju - Narasapuram
9 Srinivasulu - Railway Koduru
10 K Chennakesava Reddy - Yemmiganur
11T Balaraju - Polavaram
12 Dharmana Krishna Das - Narsannapet
13 Amarnath Reddy - Rajampet
14 Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy - Macherla
15 Baburao - Payakaraopet
16 M Sucharita - Prattipadu
---
Resignation accepted
--
Sobha Nagireddy - Allagadda (PRP)
Thursday, 1 March 2012
Where caste clashes with Telangana sentiment
V V Balakrishna
Express News Service
Last Updated : 28 Feb 2012 08:43:44 AM IST
ADILABAD: It is a fight between caste factor and Telangana sentiment in this district headquarters town. Now, the Telangana sentiment is strong unlike in the past. However, the TDP has strategically fielded Payala Sankar, a BC.
Backward classes form more than half of the voters in this Assembly segment. Besides, Sankar has earned reputation as a good leader. With his personal image and also strong support from his own caste, Sankar is set to give a tough fight to TRS candidate Jogu Ramanna, who resigned as a TDP MLA and is now contesting on TRS ticket in the byelection.
When Sankar filed his papers on Monday, an impressive rally followed him. The participants consisted of youths, farmers and farm workers. Those who took part in the rally held yellow flags and raised “Jai TDP” slogans, but many carried strong T-sentiment in their hearts.
Several TDP workers said they would vote for Telangana (read TRS). “I will vote for Telangana,” said Saidulu from a nearby village. Asked why was he participating in the TDP rally, he replied, “I am a TDP worker. I will campaign for my party. On the polling day, I will remove my yellow scarf and go to the polling booth to vote for Telangana. We want a separate state.”
Another TDP activist Bhumanna, from Ramayam, said the TDP would give a good fight to the TRS. But finally the Telangana sentiment will win, he said.
A farm labourer from Baila, Narasinga Rao, pointed out that Jogu Ramanna won the last election only due to the support extended by Sankar. It was Sankar rather than the alliance with TRS which helped Ramanna in the last elections.
Narasinga Rao is not a TDP worker, but he is impressed with the work done by Sankar as a ZPTC member. “Sankar dug borewells. He spent his own money for the public and always available over phone even to ordinary people. He also constructed Hanuman mandirs. I want to see leaders like Sankar as an MLA,” he said.
Among the educated voters, Sakala Janula Samme was a debatable point. “The Sakala Janula Samme was called off abruptly. The Centre did not grant the T-state even after a 42-day strike by employees. The Samme only caused hardship to the public. Now, the people are vexed with such agitations. I will not vote for the TRS this time,” K Bheem Sankar, a government employee said.
However, his colleague B Rajarao differed. “The public are very angry with the Congress for its cruel way of dealing with the Sakala Janula Samme. This time, even Congress and TDP voters will vote for TRS,” he argued.
Express News Service
Last Updated : 28 Feb 2012 08:43:44 AM IST
ADILABAD: It is a fight between caste factor and Telangana sentiment in this district headquarters town. Now, the Telangana sentiment is strong unlike in the past. However, the TDP has strategically fielded Payala Sankar, a BC.
Backward classes form more than half of the voters in this Assembly segment. Besides, Sankar has earned reputation as a good leader. With his personal image and also strong support from his own caste, Sankar is set to give a tough fight to TRS candidate Jogu Ramanna, who resigned as a TDP MLA and is now contesting on TRS ticket in the byelection.
When Sankar filed his papers on Monday, an impressive rally followed him. The participants consisted of youths, farmers and farm workers. Those who took part in the rally held yellow flags and raised “Jai TDP” slogans, but many carried strong T-sentiment in their hearts.
Several TDP workers said they would vote for Telangana (read TRS). “I will vote for Telangana,” said Saidulu from a nearby village. Asked why was he participating in the TDP rally, he replied, “I am a TDP worker. I will campaign for my party. On the polling day, I will remove my yellow scarf and go to the polling booth to vote for Telangana. We want a separate state.”
Another TDP activist Bhumanna, from Ramayam, said the TDP would give a good fight to the TRS. But finally the Telangana sentiment will win, he said.
A farm labourer from Baila, Narasinga Rao, pointed out that Jogu Ramanna won the last election only due to the support extended by Sankar. It was Sankar rather than the alliance with TRS which helped Ramanna in the last elections.
Narasinga Rao is not a TDP worker, but he is impressed with the work done by Sankar as a ZPTC member. “Sankar dug borewells. He spent his own money for the public and always available over phone even to ordinary people. He also constructed Hanuman mandirs. I want to see leaders like Sankar as an MLA,” he said.
Among the educated voters, Sakala Janula Samme was a debatable point. “The Sakala Janula Samme was called off abruptly. The Centre did not grant the T-state even after a 42-day strike by employees. The Samme only caused hardship to the public. Now, the people are vexed with such agitations. I will not vote for the TRS this time,” K Bheem Sankar, a government employee said.
However, his colleague B Rajarao differed. “The public are very angry with the Congress for its cruel way of dealing with the Sakala Janula Samme. This time, even Congress and TDP voters will vote for TRS,” he argued.
Sentiment, reality to guide Kamareddy voters
VV Balakrishna
Express News Service
Last Updated : 27 Feb 2012 08:31:58 AM IST
KAMAREDDY: The foundation plaque of Pranahita- Chevella, the mega lift irrigation project designed to quench the thirst of the people and the fields, has gathered much dust.
Jai Telangana slogans, written over it at the height of the agitation, are still visible.
The foundation for the project was laid by the then chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy on December 14, 2008 in this commercial town in Nizamabad district.
The town is situated about 110 km from the state capital and about 55 km from the district headquarters.
The dusty plaque is a standing testimony to the negligence of irrigation sector in the district.
Apart from the inherent Telangana sentiment, the major mundane problem of irrigation and drinking water shortage will decide the fate of the candidates in the by-election to be held for the Assembly seat on March 18.
Kamareddy is a big business centre in Nizamabad district and is also an agriculture centre.
The two main commercial crops - sugarcane and turmeric - have not yielded much profits to farmers this time.
The town is also known for a large number of migrants to the Gulf in search of livelihood.
The Pranahita-Chevella project is proposed to irrigate around 3 lakh acres in Nizamabad district, providing water to 299 villages in 19 mandals.
The estimated cost of the project’s portion that falls in the district is `3,450 crore and was supposed to be completed by the end of December this year.
But the project is yet to be grounded.
Apart from the above, caste factor too comes into play at the time of elections.
But dominating all the issues is the love for Telangana.
“We want our Telangana.
Our love for it is eternal,” says, G Nagaraju, a government teacher.
The repeated bypolls in the name of Telangana are not received well by the voters.
“Tell me, will I get remunerative price for sugarcane if Gampa Govardhan changes the party and is elected on TRS ticket? His election will not get us Telangana state,” says Narendrachary, a farmer from Devunipalli.
Several villagers in Machareddy want TDP candidate Nittu Venugoal to dig tubewells so that they quench their thirst during summer.
The election code has come to the rescue of Venugopal, and he neither funded the borewell nor gave any assurance.
The situation is similar in several villages.
Adequate safe drinking water has been the long-cherished dream of Telangana.
Voters do not seem to be enthusiastic about the byelections.
They are passive and seem not to care which party will win or lose.
“To us it is just one more election,” Bhaskar, a cobbler, remarks.
All said, the TDP candidate is enjoying a good support here as Kamareddy, which is dominated by settlers, has always been a TDP’s citadel.
TRS’ Gampa Govardhan, is lacking cadre support unlike in the 2009 election.
He is depending on the Telangana sentiment and the charisma of party chief K Chandrasekhar Rao.
By admitting TRS Politburo member Yousaf Ali into his party, TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu has settled scores with KCR and is compensating the loss suffered with the exit of Govardhan.
Yousaf Ali’s entry would fetch some minority votes to the TDP in the elections.
As for the poll planks, the TRS, as usual, is harping on statehood for Telangana while the TDP is focusing on Pranahita- Chevella, Gulf migrants’ problems, agrarian crisis, drinking water shortage.
Congress candidate Yedla Raji Reddy claims that formation of a separate Telangana state will be possible only with the patronage of the Congress.
`` I have lost my job for the sake of Telangana.
The Congress government at the Centre will deliver Telangana state by 2014,” Raji Reddy tries to impress the voters with his claim.
The claims of the candidates and their campaigners notwithstanding, voters, of whom employees, teachers and youth form a large chunk, are likely to vote for ‘Telangana’.
“Though, we have reservations about the functioning of TRS, we decided to vote for TRS to sustain the separatist movement.
If the movement is diluted now, it is very difficult to revive it in future,” Nallamlli Narasimhulu, a student, says.
Teachers and students, the hardcore supporters of Telangana separatism, are too busy with academics and examinations to take active participation in election campaigning
Express News Service
Last Updated : 27 Feb 2012 08:31:58 AM IST
KAMAREDDY: The foundation plaque of Pranahita- Chevella, the mega lift irrigation project designed to quench the thirst of the people and the fields, has gathered much dust.
Jai Telangana slogans, written over it at the height of the agitation, are still visible.
The foundation for the project was laid by the then chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy on December 14, 2008 in this commercial town in Nizamabad district.
The town is situated about 110 km from the state capital and about 55 km from the district headquarters.
The dusty plaque is a standing testimony to the negligence of irrigation sector in the district.
Apart from the inherent Telangana sentiment, the major mundane problem of irrigation and drinking water shortage will decide the fate of the candidates in the by-election to be held for the Assembly seat on March 18.
Kamareddy is a big business centre in Nizamabad district and is also an agriculture centre.
The two main commercial crops - sugarcane and turmeric - have not yielded much profits to farmers this time.
The town is also known for a large number of migrants to the Gulf in search of livelihood.
The Pranahita-Chevella project is proposed to irrigate around 3 lakh acres in Nizamabad district, providing water to 299 villages in 19 mandals.
The estimated cost of the project’s portion that falls in the district is `3,450 crore and was supposed to be completed by the end of December this year.
But the project is yet to be grounded.
Apart from the above, caste factor too comes into play at the time of elections.
But dominating all the issues is the love for Telangana.
“We want our Telangana.
Our love for it is eternal,” says, G Nagaraju, a government teacher.
The repeated bypolls in the name of Telangana are not received well by the voters.
“Tell me, will I get remunerative price for sugarcane if Gampa Govardhan changes the party and is elected on TRS ticket? His election will not get us Telangana state,” says Narendrachary, a farmer from Devunipalli.
Several villagers in Machareddy want TDP candidate Nittu Venugoal to dig tubewells so that they quench their thirst during summer.
The election code has come to the rescue of Venugopal, and he neither funded the borewell nor gave any assurance.
The situation is similar in several villages.
Adequate safe drinking water has been the long-cherished dream of Telangana.
Voters do not seem to be enthusiastic about the byelections.
They are passive and seem not to care which party will win or lose.
“To us it is just one more election,” Bhaskar, a cobbler, remarks.
All said, the TDP candidate is enjoying a good support here as Kamareddy, which is dominated by settlers, has always been a TDP’s citadel.
TRS’ Gampa Govardhan, is lacking cadre support unlike in the 2009 election.
He is depending on the Telangana sentiment and the charisma of party chief K Chandrasekhar Rao.
By admitting TRS Politburo member Yousaf Ali into his party, TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu has settled scores with KCR and is compensating the loss suffered with the exit of Govardhan.
Yousaf Ali’s entry would fetch some minority votes to the TDP in the elections.
As for the poll planks, the TRS, as usual, is harping on statehood for Telangana while the TDP is focusing on Pranahita- Chevella, Gulf migrants’ problems, agrarian crisis, drinking water shortage.
Congress candidate Yedla Raji Reddy claims that formation of a separate Telangana state will be possible only with the patronage of the Congress.
`` I have lost my job for the sake of Telangana.
The Congress government at the Centre will deliver Telangana state by 2014,” Raji Reddy tries to impress the voters with his claim.
The claims of the candidates and their campaigners notwithstanding, voters, of whom employees, teachers and youth form a large chunk, are likely to vote for ‘Telangana’.
“Though, we have reservations about the functioning of TRS, we decided to vote for TRS to sustain the separatist movement.
If the movement is diluted now, it is very difficult to revive it in future,” Nallamlli Narasimhulu, a student, says.
Teachers and students, the hardcore supporters of Telangana separatism, are too busy with academics and examinations to take active participation in election campaigning
Telangana movement at rest in lull station
By VV Balakrishna
26 Feb 2012 05:20:48 AM IST
STATION GHANPUR: As one might guess, this is a railway station town, one at which busy trains stop for the regulation two minutes.
But it’s the bus stand that’s the centre, where one might get a reading of the the pulse of the townsfolk.
All around at the terminal, on moss-blackened walls and strung from electricity poles, are faded remnants of posters and flexis of past agitations.
Only a tinge of colour remains on them to indicate that they were once pink.
A few yards from the bus stand, CPM candidate Ilishan Dyda was holding a public meeting.
A few hundreds heard him out impassively.
A few yards further, MRPS workers in afternoon torpor, waiting for the next batch to take over their relay hunger fast for SC reclassification.
A few months earlier, a CPM meeting might not have been possible.
For Telangana activists would disrupt any meeting by parties opposed to their dream of a separate state, as CPM is.
Today, the meeting goes through unobstructed.
Station Ghanpur is in Warangal district, and ought to be a hotbed of Telangana separatism.
But the freedom allowed today to naysayers like the CPM candidate should not be surprising.
The people of this constituency remain votaries of a separate state for Telangana but right now the passions are in lull mode for now is not the occasion to show them.
There is much criticism of the TRS for leading the movement into the lull.
“If you catch something, you should hold it in an udumu pattu.
You shouldn’t be like a snake which releases its hold easily,” says Rajaiah, a farmer from Raghunathapalli.
The simile refers to the grasp of a monitor lizard which is locally reputed to be so tenacious that the Kakatiya soldiery used them to scale up fort battlements.
Rajaiah is unhappy that the TRS let go of the vice-like grip which it had on the state government right up to the Sakala Janula Samme back in August.
In the 2009 election, the local TDP strong man, K Srihari, lost his fief although his party was in alliance with the TRS.
In the subsequent years, the TDP has become no dearer to the Telangana separatists, for having taken a ‘two-eyed’ stance -- locally derided as cock-eyed -- on the separate state question.
But he’s back in the fray in this byelection, hoping to pass under the Telangana radar.
Given the lull in the Telangana movement, there are signs in this town that the voters are back to their default mode, wanting water, cheaper fertilisers and welfare goodies.
“We have several problems like drinking water, farmers’ issues and others.
Besides, the Telangana movement is not strong right now.
I’ll definitely vote for Srihari,’’ said Rajaiah said.
The Madigas of this SCreserved constituency are for Srihari, and the MRPS has indicated support for him.
That’s good for Srihari, but he has to contend with the Telangana sentiment, which, even if latent, runs deep.
A CPM activist campaiging for his party candidate said it didn’t really matter who won but “Telangana should win”.
Incumbent K Rajaiah is in this byelection in TRS colours, having shed the Congress kanduva to make a point about his fidelity to the Telangana movement.
And he has to contend with voters who might want to attend to immediate problems
26 Feb 2012 05:20:48 AM IST
STATION GHANPUR: As one might guess, this is a railway station town, one at which busy trains stop for the regulation two minutes.
But it’s the bus stand that’s the centre, where one might get a reading of the the pulse of the townsfolk.
All around at the terminal, on moss-blackened walls and strung from electricity poles, are faded remnants of posters and flexis of past agitations.
Only a tinge of colour remains on them to indicate that they were once pink.
A few yards from the bus stand, CPM candidate Ilishan Dyda was holding a public meeting.
A few hundreds heard him out impassively.
A few yards further, MRPS workers in afternoon torpor, waiting for the next batch to take over their relay hunger fast for SC reclassification.
A few months earlier, a CPM meeting might not have been possible.
For Telangana activists would disrupt any meeting by parties opposed to their dream of a separate state, as CPM is.
Today, the meeting goes through unobstructed.
Station Ghanpur is in Warangal district, and ought to be a hotbed of Telangana separatism.
But the freedom allowed today to naysayers like the CPM candidate should not be surprising.
The people of this constituency remain votaries of a separate state for Telangana but right now the passions are in lull mode for now is not the occasion to show them.
There is much criticism of the TRS for leading the movement into the lull.
“If you catch something, you should hold it in an udumu pattu.
You shouldn’t be like a snake which releases its hold easily,” says Rajaiah, a farmer from Raghunathapalli.
The simile refers to the grasp of a monitor lizard which is locally reputed to be so tenacious that the Kakatiya soldiery used them to scale up fort battlements.
Rajaiah is unhappy that the TRS let go of the vice-like grip which it had on the state government right up to the Sakala Janula Samme back in August.
In the 2009 election, the local TDP strong man, K Srihari, lost his fief although his party was in alliance with the TRS.
In the subsequent years, the TDP has become no dearer to the Telangana separatists, for having taken a ‘two-eyed’ stance -- locally derided as cock-eyed -- on the separate state question.
But he’s back in the fray in this byelection, hoping to pass under the Telangana radar.
Given the lull in the Telangana movement, there are signs in this town that the voters are back to their default mode, wanting water, cheaper fertilisers and welfare goodies.
“We have several problems like drinking water, farmers’ issues and others.
Besides, the Telangana movement is not strong right now.
I’ll definitely vote for Srihari,’’ said Rajaiah said.
The Madigas of this SCreserved constituency are for Srihari, and the MRPS has indicated support for him.
That’s good for Srihari, but he has to contend with the Telangana sentiment, which, even if latent, runs deep.
A CPM activist campaiging for his party candidate said it didn’t really matter who won but “Telangana should win”.
Incumbent K Rajaiah is in this byelection in TRS colours, having shed the Congress kanduva to make a point about his fidelity to the Telangana movement.
And he has to contend with voters who might want to attend to immediate problems
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