Hopefully...

Yesterday’s press meet of KCR was noteworthy for one home-truth - there can be agitations for separation but not for unity. If all are united where is the need for agitation? How true!

An interesting aspect of present turmoil is that the voices of protagonists of separate Andhra like Yalamanchili Sivaji and Chalasani are now muted. They are not seen on any channel. Given their track record, I don’t think they have become integrationists overnight.

We are hearing of statues of Potti Sriramulu being cleansed with milk by integrationists. But the fact is, Potti Sriramulu’s goal was not the present shape of AP, but the formation of a separate Andhra carved out of erstwhile Madras Presidency so that Andhras can self govern themselves and achieve their aspirations in dignity.

Telangana demand is also similar. However much one might try to paper over, their aspirations are not only about jobs, university seats or even development. It is also about ploughing one’s own furrow in dignity. Atleast now let us call a spade a spade.

How long this tragic-comedy will be enacted? Except for TRS, which has been steadfast in its speeches, goals and actions, all other political parties are somersaulting like buffoons except this is no laughing matter.

Except for a brief period when Sanjeeva Reddy/Chenna Reddy were Central ministers for Steel and Industries, no person from AP was thought fit to hold an important economic portfolio like Industries, Railways, Telecommunications, Defence which have huge budgets and vast scope for establishment of industries which in turn act as magnets for further development and economic well being of that area.

There is no worthwhile central or state industry in entire Andhra-Rayalaseema area except for a couple in Vizag. There is no hospital like AIIMS which could reach for the poor. There is no central institution of excellence like IIT/IIM. There is no Ordnance Factory. There is no Railway Production Unit. They could not get a mere 20 km sanctioned railway line between Kakinada and Pithapuram executed. Who is responsible for this and who has the moral authority to talk on behalf of Andhra Pradesh?

To add to the misfortune of the people, there is no Leader of caliber who is heard with respect either by Centre or its own people. There is not a single person – in politics or otherwise – who has a pan Andhra-Rayalaseema appeal. Leaders with impeccable credentials like Tanguturi, Tenneti, Vavilala don’t exist any more. The people of these regions are rudderless and the poor students are directionless. Abhorrence of violence, desisting from provocative tit-for-tat speeches, preserving public and private property and a sense of agreeing to disagree are the need of the hour in this drifting state.

Something always comes out of churning. Let us hope some good will come out of this turmoil to alleviate the miseries of the common man even while cooling the political temperatures. If it is by bifurcation or trifurcation – let so be it.

…ponder