Polls in Andhra

Recent AP bye election results have been a washout for Congress and Telugu Desam. TRS also suffered a strategic setback to BJP. Now we are going to have a larger chunk of Assembly seats going to bye polls. This will be a crucial test not only for the political parties in the arena but for the State, Country and Society at large. This round of elections is the result of disqualification of those members who defied whip and voted against Congress government on the No Confidence motion. Or to put in straight, defections from Sonia Congress to Jagan Congress. Jagan Congress has taken a head start as its contestants are automatically chosen being the disqualified members. Other two parties which could give serious fight viz. Congress and TD are having trouble choosing its candidates. Both the parties appear to have conceded advantage even before choosing candidates. Both parties are plagued by internal squabbles. Congress faces the piquant situation of reluctant contestants and TD rebels. If the phenomenal crowds attracted by Jagan in his tours are any indication the results are a foregone conclusion unless there is a last minute dramatic turn around. May be corruption cases may reach their logical end. Congress has a pan-India presence and after two successive wins in the State, could afford to sit in opposition after next elections. But a third successive defeat for TDP will be a death blow. There will be an exodus. The present round will be a curtain raiser for 2014 polls The TRS was expected to have a cakewalk in Telengana districts. But its pitch is queered by BJP. Votes will be split making the decision wide open. The young voters appear to have rejected corruption or sharp practices as of no consequence. Probably they have also refused to take religious and caste considerations in their calculations. Perhaps success alone matters, material success irrespective of the means. This is what our egalitarian IIMs must be teaching. …ponder

Refreshingly Different

Recently there was a panel discussion on HMTV. The participants were Minister D. Manikya Vara Prasad (Congress), Jaya Prakash Narayan (LSP), Pocharam Satyanarayana (TRS) and another Muslim MLA gentleman (TDP) whose name I could not catch.

Generallly suh discussions on party lines degenerate into acrimony, heated exchanges and downlight abuses. But to my pleasant surprise, the proceedings were cordial, meaningful and almost confessional of their inner feelings.

The topic was recently concluded budget session of the Andhra Assembly and, in particular, the wastage of almost half the time and the passing of the finance bill without discussion. It may be recalled that a budget of more than a lakh and fifty thousand crores was passed by gullitone.

JP was his usual erudite self. You can feel the vibes of intellect, homework and pain in him. Interestingly all the three other panelists quoted him supportively.

Congress's Prasad made an interesting observation. That 80% of the Hon'ble Members have no clue to the legislative nuances or procedures. His emphasis was on candid admission that as the ruling party, the treasury benches are happy at the disruption of proceedings.

The TDP MLA regretted that as a back-bencher he never gets chance from his floor leader to contribute to discussion.

TRS Member also regretted the lost opportunity to vent people's grievances and burning issues due to frequent adjournments.

HMTV's Moderator deftly handled the discussion without being obstructive, provocative or sermonizing.

A very refreshing program in these days of perceived degenerated standards of both media and politics.

…ponder