We Deserve Better!!! I am saddened with the turn of events that have been taking place over the past month or so regarding carving out Telangana State from Andhra Pradesh. For a moment let us ignore my predispositions regarding the formation of state and objectively analyse the attitude of the political class regarding an issue which is deeply connected to emotions and sentiments of people. Andhra Pradesh has returned maximum number of MPs (33 out of 42) for Congress Party than any other state, which eventually helped it to form UPAII at the centre in 2009. In less than 8 months into the second term, the "High Command" of the Congress party announced initiation of the process for creation of separate State on December 9th, succumbing to pressure of fast-unto-death threat by Mr K Chandra Sekhar Rao. Many Congressmen have dubbed it as a gift by Mrs. Sonia Gandhi on her birthday to the people of Telangana. In this whole event, the "High Command" neither bothered to elicit the opinion of the public nor it attempted to arrive at consensus at the level of political leaders. This is largely due to the "Yes Madam!" type of culture created and perpetuated by the Congress party and ignored democratic processes of consultation and consensual decision making. This is nothing but gross misuse of unaccountable power by those at the helm of affairs. Come 2013. Now, with the prosepects of Congress returning to the power in 2014 general elections at the Centre dwindling day by day, the "High Command" decided to do something about the Telangana issue to improve its electoral prospects. The Congress Party has ignored the issue for the past three and half years and never made any serious attempt to arrive at a decision which was agreeable to people from both the regions of Andhra Pradesh. The electoral calculations have forced it to consider the issue. Going the by reports by various sections of media about the deliberations that are going on at the "Core group" level are primarily centred around how many MP seats it will be able to win in Telangana and rest of Andhra Pradesh in case if it grants a separate State and how many if it wont? How to counter the rising influence of TRS party and Jaganmohan Reddy? Should we carve out Telangana to win maximum MP seats? It did not bother to even refer to the Sri Krishna Committee report, which was commissioned by the Union Government, which has given its recommendations after conducting a thorough research. During its current consultations, the "Core Group" did not bother to elicit the opinion of public. The political class has been accustomed to such levels of blatant misuse of the power that, they think they can do what ever they want and unilaterally take decisions on issues as important as creation of new State by bifurcating the existing one. I am sure that the founding fathers would not have imagined such a situation arising, lest they would not have incorporated the provision of Article 3 in Constitution with the powers vesting in the hands of Union Government. If the Union Government thinks that for its political gains and electoral considerations it can carve out a State at its will, then the survival of the federal units of "Union of India" is in danger. In a country as diverse as India, there are bound to be many more demands for a State of their own. If there is no objective criteria for creation of State then there is a risk of Balkanization of "Union of India" as States are created/merged/enlarged at the whims and fancies of few select people who are accountable to none for their actions. The idea of India, a Union of States, with strong Centre was to counter the disintegration of the country. The founding fathers have fought hard with Britishers and native princely states to build an India which is harmonious and there is brotherhood among countrymen. They striven hard to promote integration of the country. The current political class is ready to promote hatred and enmity among brothers and even ready to sacrifice the integrity of India to hold on to their power. Is this what we deserve as people of this country? How long are they going to ignore the concerns of people and just go on with their plans and designs? Mr Rahul Gandhi says there is so much anger in the country. My question to Mr Rahul Gandhi is "Sir, Please enlighten me on how to make our voices heard? For how long are we going to be ignored and alienated in our own country by those very people who have adorned the higher echelons of power with the help of our votes?"
Posted on: Fri, 26 Jul 2013 20:05:50 +0000
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