DIVIDED INDIA: The politics of opportunism and division

Shortsightedness or political maneuvering, UPA’s just before midnight announcement on initiation for the process of creation of a separate Telangana state from Andhra has left deep scars on the face of the state. The issue, though not new, resurfaced strongly at a time when the Congress government in Andhra Pradesh was going through a political turmoil. Not much time has passed after the death of YCR and the party is facing an acute crisis again. Separation movement leader Telangana Rashtriya Samiti Chief K Chandrashekhar Rao declared a fast unto death causing a surge in the movement. Members of Parliament expressed concern over his health on the floor of the House; BJP went on record rendering its support. Confusion remained on the Left parties stand as the CPIM subtly denounced division of states in general. Interestingly, the BJP openly admitted that it could not support Telangana earlier due to the pressure from ally Telgu Desam Party. The ruling party meanwhile maintained that any decision can be taken only with political consensus. With tension raging high in both New Delhi and the state, Andhra CM K Roshaiah flew to Delhi. It was the 10th day on KCR’s fast and the Congress feared a strong backlash from the Telangana districts in case of any untoward incident. The Home Minister, under pressure, or with will, announced the decision of a calculated ‘initiation of the process’ for the creation of Telangana. Mr Roshaiah, who was flying back to Andhra after meeting top leadership in Delhi got the information about the decision in the flight and by the time he landed, KCR was offered juice by his party workers. The real crisis however was yet to begin. Uproars of protest echoed from the other regions and a parallel movement was started for stopping the bifurcation. Over next three days, more that 40 Congress MLAs offered their resignation along with TDP and other parties taking the protesting number within the Assembly to over 130. Rifts in the party became more visible as the party got divided in pro and anti Telangana members. The issue got a perfect stage with Parliament being in session. While the two sections of MPs kept meeting top leadership from Congress and the government, the BJP went on reiterating its demand for a roadmap. A sense of urgency and excitement gripped the media as reporters kept busy following the endless meetings. Fallout in the party looked clear even in the House, the pro and anti Telangana MPs stalked the proceedings during the last week of the winter session. While pro Telangana MPs kept thanking Congress President for the decision, MPs from Rayalseema and Coastal Andhra raised pitch against the bifurcation. Crossing all limits, YCR’s son Jaganmohan Reddy went ahead to join TDP members in Lok Sabha protesting the bifurcation. Later, clarifying his move, he told reporters that he did not want to let TDP take the credit for opposing the demand. Getting a chance to score a point, the BJP accused Congress for taking a decision in haste, while SP expressed confidence that the issue will be put on the backburner. The most unprecedented twist in the story was however brought by the TDP which changed its course standing against Telangana at the last moment after supporting the bifurcation earlier. However, despite of the whole political confusion, the Congress maintained that there is no rift in the party. The sentiment were expressed by the MPs in the same breath as they spoke pro or anti bifurcation. At the end of the day, the Andhra Assembly was adjourned sine die without passing any resolution while the Lok Sabha remained disturbed missing critical debates and bills being passed without discussion.
Though Andhra is worst affected by the crisis, it is not the only state which is disturbed by the development. At least half a dozen state movements have been rejuvenated after the announcement. Lone MP from Bodoland’s People’s Party Mr K Bwiswmuthiary joined the chaos with his demand for Bodoland carve out of Assam. RLD leader Ajit Singh forwarded his demand for Harit Pradesh from Uttar Pradesh and the Chief Minister of the state Ms Mayawati went ahead demanding trifurcation of UP. The strongest reaction came from the Gorkhaland agitators as the movement gained back its momentum demanding a new state from West Bengal comprising of Darjeeling district alone.
Whether or not Telangana is created, the episode has opened a whole new chapter of opportunistic politics in the country. BJP says it supports smaller states in principal, yet it refuses to support Vidarbh (Maharashtra) openly admitting opposition from ally Shiv Sena. Similarly, despite of its poll time promises in Gorkhaland, the BJP has so far kept quite on the issue. Dismissed party leader and Darjeeling MP Jaswant Singh extended full support to the Gorkhaland agitators. For Singh, it is that one chance which can make him a political hero again, the BJP does not want to risk missing an opportunity, nor does it wants to let its estranged member take the credit. Fallouts are evident yet not admitted. At the same time the sanctity of the TRS chief’s Gandhian revolt is shadowed when we look back at the reason behind the formation of the party. The TRS was formed only after KCR was refused a ministerial berth in the Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP government seven years back. With political opportunism and separatist feelings overflowing, Andhra is once again witnessing turmoil and upheaval on an issue which has been kept alive ever since independence. The question remains whether creation of smaller states really answer the development needs for the rural and backward areas. So far, even after creation of new states, development has been witnessed restrictively in the major urban centers and the state capital owing to surge in property value and creation of new government posts. However, problems solving in India have always been shortsighted and political in nature. Whether a solution can be found to creation of close to half dozen states remains a question, however Telangana is presently set on the back-burner for sure.

Need for SRC?
With demands from all quarters arising for further division of states, the need for a second States Reorganization Committee is evident, however all major political parties have refused to acknowledge the need of the hour. While Congress spokesperson hesitantly said that the SRC can only be constituted after political consensus, BJP leader Venkaiyah Naidu rejected the idea emphasizing on case to case basis consideration. However, way back in 2001, a sub-committee of the Congress Working Committee, comprising Arjun Singh, the late Madhavrao Scindia, Ambika Soni, Oscar Fernandes and even then headed by Pranab Mukherjee, concluded that there were “valid reasons” for the formation of separate states of Vidarbha and Telangana, but that a new States Reorganisation Commission was needed to consider the whole issue. It recommended that the Congress ask the Government of India to set up such a commission.
While the CWC accepted the recommendation, says Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh, then home minister L K Advani rejected the suggestion. Singh adds that the Congress stand has been consistent, though the BJP now backs the demand for a separate Telangana state.


History:
In December 1953, the States Reorganization Commission was appointed to prepare for the creation of states on linguistic lines. The States Reorganization Commission (SRC) was not in favour of an immediate merger of Telangana region with Andhra state, despite the common language between the two.
Prime Minister Mr Jawaharlal Nehru initially ridiculed the idea of merging Telangana with the Andhra State, fearing a “tint of expansionist imperialism” in it. Later, he compared the merger to a matrimonial alliance having “provisions for divorce” if the partners in the alliance cannot get on well.
The separation movement gained momentum in 1969 as student agitation for the continuation of the agreement began at Osmania University in Hyderabad and spread to other parts of the region. This movement, also known as Telangana movement, led to widespread violence and deaths of hundreds of people including 360 students.