Imagine Jayalalitha (erstwhile Chief Minister of Tamil
Nadu) fielding her own candidates and campaigning in Karnataka Assembly elections!
Anyone who understands the political history of
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu would find such a scenario silly, weird and even
dangerous. The reason is: unlike two
friendly neighbours such as Odisha and West Bengal, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
have serious issues over sharing of river waters, and those burning topic
brings people regularly onto streets in protests. Therefore, Jayalalitha fielding her
candidates in Karnataka would be seen as hegemonistic, a way of entering
Karnataka politics to subvert the political system, only to gain something for
her own Tamil Nadu State. It would
undermine the democracy within Karnataka.
Such a scenario is unlikely. Jayalalitha
would never have campaigned in Karnataka.
And yet, today, we see such unlikely scenario
happening in Telangana.
There are two essential reasons why Naidu campaigning
in Telangana is not just downright amoral, but is sinister, and a threat of
democracy within Telangana.
The rivalry between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh is an
accepted fact. Almost every political pundit knows about
it. There are many unresolved issues pending
from the bifurcation, many corporations are still undivided, and most
importantly, there is this issue of sharing of river waters. Whenever Telangana moved ahead to build an
irrigation project within Telangana to tap into their rightful share of river
water, Naidu has objected to it by writing a letter to the Central
Government. He has demonstrated that he unequivocally
stands against the interests of Telangana and its people. Therefore, such a leader, from the
neighbouring state which is unfriendly, to come to Telangana to position his candidates
and campaign has only agenda: it is a subversive attempt to undermine the
interests of Telangana, an attempt to tamper into the democratic process within
Telangana to unfairly gain something for Andhra Pradesh.
Also, when Telangana State formation was announced on
9th December 2009 by P Chidambaram, it was Naidu and his MPs and
MLAs who stood against the formation of Telangana by protesting openly. Naidu was one of the main leaders of the
opposition to formation of Telangana. He sat on a strike in Delhi openly opposing
the formation of Telangana. After the
bifurcation, he used his clout as a partner in NDA to steal few of the mandals
from Telangana, which were then merged with Andhra Pradesh. He blatantly took the position of opposing the
interests of Telangana. Therefore his campaign
in Telangana once again shows the same arrogance of the Andhra leadership, the
very leadership Telangana fought against to form a new State. His
interests are antithetical to interests of Telangana.
His campaign in Telangana is not just amoral and
sinister, but it is hegemonistic and in every aspect completely anti-Telangana.
It should be summarily rejected by the
people of Telangana.
Sujai, Do you know history properly? Bhadrachalam revenue division was part of earst while east Godavari district, it was not part of HYD state before 1956 and it was merged with Khammam in 1959 for convienience, so ideally they should be back to Andhra but bhadrachalam is still with TG except few mandals. Why cribbing, it was with AP before anyway? Also anyone in India can contest elections anywhere and its up to people to decide. River water disputes will be there not among states but districts and even mandals.Your argument that TDP shouldn't contest TG elections is undemocratic and against the constitution of India.
ReplyDeleteAlso your comparison with KA and TN with TS/AP is wrong. DMK/DMK of TN doesn't have cadres and base in KA (may be a few sympathisers) and also JDU has not base in TN but TDP has base in TG not among settlers, also among BC voters (their strength may come down). TG sentiment is valid till 2014 only until statehood. From 2014, TRS should tell what DEV it did and counter Naidu's arguments not using stupid sentiment but by their work. How different they are compared to previous regimes? What all promises they fullfilled?
Anyway AP/TS division is done and Naidu can't change even if TDP comes to power
Sujai,
ReplyDeleteHegemonistic? CBN's party is contesting 13 seats and it is fighting for survival. CBN is pulling out all stops to ensure that his party is alive. Let the people of Telangana send TDP packing, but none of us can deny CBN the right to campaign in the state. I hope you would agree with me on this point if you and I want to live in a pluralistic Telangana. You begin with the premise that whatever CBN does is opposed to Telangana's interests. If that is the case, let us wage a consistent battle for our interests within the existing political and judicial system. Why are we exalting CBN's power so much (even its negative aspect)?
Also, all this criticism is a bit rich and it smacks to me as an apologia for TRS. The ruling TRS has poached TDP's MLAs and many Ministers in its cabinet are from the TDP. It is almost like an old boys' club for ex-TDP politicos. So, read your post once again and spend a moment reflecting on its weak argument (a train wreck really starting with the Jayalalitha comparison). There is nothing arrogant about CBN campaigning in Telangana. In fact, the ruling TRS (and sadly you) are being arrogant in decrying his right to campaign. There is a sizeable proportion of people in Telangana (I am not one) who believe in CBN, just as there is broad swathe of people who believe in KCR. Let the Telangana society decide. I trust the electorate to do what is right.
By the way, you brought in threats to "subvert" or "undermine" democracy in Telangana. I am afraid you are sounding too biased. Why such paranoia and outrage? Democracy is not you and me. Let the people of Telangana decide.
Best,
Jared
Finally you're back. Was waiting for your article. Please write regularly. A lot is happening in India, these days!
ReplyDelete-Your reader from Kashmir.
Nothing wrong in Naidoo contesting election in T. What provisio of constitution is he violating? There's a sense of patriotism you nurture for T. That makes you speak in ways that undoes your otherwise rational thought process. So, chill, and let people of T decide what's good for them as they have done by unequivocally electing the founding father of T, Mr. KCR
ReplyDelete