Thousands of persons belonging to different political parties, organisations, elected representatives and different sections of the society are joining the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). This is an out-and-out inevitability of political reunion and polarisation.
At a time when a new state has emerged, thanks to decades of people’s struggle and movement led by KCR, and at a time when a strong foundation is laid for achieving the dream of Golden Telangana, it is but natural that persons elected on different party tickets join the TRS. For those who call it unethical, it simply means that they do not understand the basic principles and essence of political reunion and polarisation.
The reason for switching allegiance to TRS stems from the fact that they are being fascinated by the government and the Chief Minister, and are attracted to his welfare and development schemes, and also the way CM is guiding the State towards the path of Golden Telangana.
Another factor is that, the political parties of those elected representatives joining TRS have failed miserably to play the role of true opposition required in a democratic set-up. And hence, these leaders have no option but leave the party. Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao repeatedly says that there were conspiracies and plots to break the formation of separate Telangana state all through the Telangana Statehood movements.
Even after formation of the state, there were conspiracies, too, to destabilise the newly formed state and hence there is a need for polarisation and reunion of political process. Conspiracies were hatched against Telangana right from the 1969 movement spearheaded by Dr Marri Channa Reddy to 2014 when the state was formed following the second stage movement led by K Chandrashekhar Rao.
If one studies the background and context of these movements, it would be clearly understood that switching of loyalties is not for mere political necessity but for a political polarisation and reunion of political forces from a cross section. The strategy is to rebuild and stabilise the State.
In 2001, KCR all alone began his movement with the sole aim of achieving the Telangana State. Later, some friends and likeminded people joined him. KCR had held discussions with everyone on the strategy to take forward the movement. He also elicited the opinion of those who participated in the Telangana struggle in 1969 and they shared their experiences with him. He had explained to them his strategy of realising the State through peaceful, democratic and political actions.
But they disagreed with him and felt that with such a strategy Telangana State cannot be achieved. They wanted 1969-type of aggressive agitation, which KCR opposed. He asked them a simple question, “Do you want State fight or street fight?” and told them in no uncertain terms that he preferred State fight to the street fight. He also made it clear to them that by mere ‘Jai Telangana’ slogan shouting, state would not be formed. It would be possible only through diplomatic and strategic line of action.
He clarified then to them that the Telangana movement led by him was not against Andhra people as such and there would not be slogans like “Andhra Go Back” in this movement. He said, “we need a separate State for our share of waters, funds and employment opportunities but not against anybody.”
He held thousands of hours discussions and brain-storming sessions and told them Telangana State would be achieved through conviction and it will also be based on how the entire movement is conducted. He said if the entire Telangana society is pulled at one side, the state’s formation is possible. Finally, they understood the strategy of KCR and rallied behind him.
When Telangana Statehood movement picked up momentum, the then AP CM Chandrababu Naidu and some sections among Andhras tried their best to water down the movement. They tried several methods and conspiracies and adopted a four-pronged strategy.
Towards the strategy of divide-and-rule, they tried to divide the Telangana society. They resorted to character assassination of the leader leading the movement thereby trying to undermine his credibility among the people. Then they spread falsehoods through the media. Lastly, they tried to crush the movement with the power that they had being in the government.
After 2004 elections KCR became union minister and spent a lot of time in Delhi talking to all the political parties and convincing them for a separate state. He managed to get support for the Telangana formation from 36 political parties. He had meetings with CPI’s AB Bardhan and with BSP’s Mayawati. He had circulated a CD cut depicting the injustices meted out to the Telangana region, its agony to all the leaders in New Delhi. The CDs were sent to each MP, each political party.
Everyone understood the agony of Telangana but were not sure about its formation due to the past experiences.
Late Dr Marri Channa Reddy who led the 1969 movement was a great leader from Telangana and he had taken the movement to its zenith. His movement became an inspiration to the second movement launched by KCR. Indira Gandhi became a mass leader in 1970-71.
As Prime Minister she visited 30 to 40 countries and explained to them how she wanted to liberate the then East Pakistan and later Bangladesh was formed. In the next election, Indira Gandhi swept the polls in the country except in Telangana where the Telangana Praja Samithi contested against the Congress and won 11 MP seats. Dr Channa Reddy went with these MPs to Indira and requested her to concede the demand for separate State.
Indira Gandhi who sought the opinion of veteran CPI leader Late SA Dange was advised against giving away separate Telangana state as it would lead some other regions in the country to demand the same. When separate Telangana state became impossible, there was pressure on the TPS leadership and several of them wanted to join the Congress.
But Dr Channa Reddy sought some safeguards from Indira Gandhi and merged the TPS with the Congress. To label Dr Channa Reddy as Telangana traitor was again part of the conspiracy hatched by certain Andhra leaders and their media organisations.
Conspiracies by Andhras have been continuing since Dr Channa Reddy’s time till date. They wanted to destabilise the newly formed State after June 2, 2014 and predicted that the new state would fail. Futile attempts were made to impose the President’s rule. When AIMIM declared its support, the TRS support grew to 70 members in the legislative Assembly and several others came forward with their support and continuing to extend their support.
Now TRS strength has reached 90 in the House providing political stability. TRS party and its government strengthened from those joining it from other parties. Telangana should be benefited from all quarters. People are not allowed to join for the silly political reasons.
Under the present circumstances, all those sections seeking development of the State should come together and work for the welfare of the state. Telangana State has now achieved political and economic stability. This process should go on. Hence polarisation is an out-and-out inevitability and the need of the hour. #KhabarLive
