SEE TELANGANA: FULL TEXT OF SKC'S 8TH CHAPTER

Full text of SKC’s 8th Chapter

by admin

Namasthe Telangana has done a stunning job by revealing the contents of SKC’s chapter 8. This has emphasized the need for a separate Telangana daily. Don’t miss the supplementary note!
Secret leaked
In the year 2004, elections were held for the Parliament as well as State Assembly. Some of the political parties, particularly, the TRS which was a political outfit that was formed with a sole agenda of seeking statehood for Telangana joined in an alliance with the Indian National Congress, which also included in its election manifesto, a promise, to create separate Telangana State. For one reason or the other, there was no progress in this direction. In the General Elections held in 2009, many more political parties included this, in their manifestos. Including the congress, the TDP also categorically declared in its election manifesto about its support for bifurcation of the state to form a state of Telangana.
Later on, there was an alliance forged by four parties opposed to the congress called the “ grand alliance” led by the TDP having TRS and left parties in the multi- party alliance. But the results were disappointing to these parties. In the last quarter of 2009, demand for separate Telangana State gained momentum. Noticing the gravity of the situation, the Government of India initiated the steps for consultation with political parties. Ultimately, a statement was made by the Union Home Minister on 09- 12- 2009, to the effect that the process for formation of separate Telangana will be initiated. There were protests from the people of Andhra and Rayalaseema areas for this proposal. The people of Telangana, on the other hand, insisted that the Government must adhere to its statement.
Taking note of the disturbances in both the regions, the Government of India announced the formation of a Committee that started its work on 03- 02- 2010. The committee comprised : Shri Justice B. N. Srikrishna, retired Judge, Supreme Court of India – Chairman Prof. ( Dr.) Ranbir Singh, Vice- Chancellor, National Law University, Delhi – Member Dr.
Abusalem Shariff, Senior Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute, Delhi – Member Dr. ( Ms.) Ravinder Kaur, Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT, Delhi – Member and Shri Vinod K. Duggal, IAS ( Retd.) former Home Secretary – Member Secretary. The Terms of Reference was primarily to examine the situation in the State of Andhra Pradesh with reference to the demand for a separate State of Telangana as well as the demand for maintaining the present status of a united Andhra Pradesh. The Committee was requested to submit its report by December 31, 2010. The Committee has undertaken wide ranging consultations. Ultimately, a report was submitted on 30- 12- 2010. The report comprised of Nine Chapters. In the last chapter, viz., “ The Way Forward,” six suggestions were made to the Government. The Committee itself observed that four suggestions made by it do not merit consideration. In its fifth suggestion, it recommended bifurcation of the State into Telangana and Seemandhra, as per the existing boundaries. In this very suggestion, it has elaborated the pros and cons and observed that, it is the second best option. The sixth recommendation made by it was, keeping the State of Andhra Pradesh united by provinding safeguards. The Committee treated that as the best option. Chapter VIII pertains to law and order and internal security dimensions. However, the committee did not make the text of Chapter- VIII, as part of its report. The only paragraph that occurs in Chapter- VIII reads: “ Law & Order and Internal Security Dimensions”. A note on the above covering all aspects has been prepared and submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs in a separate cover along with the Report. It is apt to note that the report of the Committee was made public, at an All Party Meeting, convened by the Union Home Minister on January 5 th , 2011.
The SKC has also mentioned in its note that if state of Telangana is formed, as suggested in the 5 th option, it would become an epicenter for Maoist violence and communal violence. The note suggests that Maoists will extend their activities to various districts of Telangana. That the Committee travelled beyond the terms of reference in its endeavour to persuade the Union of India, not to accede to the demand for Telangana, is demonstrated in a three- page Supplementary Note, appended to the note, representing Chapter- VIII. The Supplementary Note has three parts and it reads: a) Political Management. ( b) Media Management. ( c) Full Preparedness. In the end the moral of the story is that, suppression beyond a point becomes counter- productive. Deccan Post too believes that it is only the solutions that are brought about through mutual discussion and democratic process, that will provide a long- lasting, respectable and peaceful solution and sadly not the tricks as suggested above. Deccan Post which has obtained this copy ( courtesy due to the untiring efforts of its correspondent B Shivkant) from a private person working for a politician- businessman is shocked beyond its comprehension that this report kept confidential by the union government agencies is freely available to all those who are influential while on the other hand refusing to provide it for concerned citizens. Compelling them to approach the courts seeking the copy of Chapter VIII from the union government. Deccan Post only after carefully verifying with the contents of the judgement that was delivered by the single bench of AP High Court has come to a reasonable conclusion that this copy made available to its correspondent has coherent and chronological expression that cannot be dismissed as figment of imagination. Since Deccan Post believes that the common man too has a right to know what is known to most of those who have access to privileged information. It deems it a great honour in the service of the common man to have a scent of what constitutes “ Chapter VIII”.
United Andhra vis-à-vis Separate Telangana Issue
1. INTRODUCTION
This detailed note covers the likely immediate backlash/ law and order situations that get created in the State on the submission of the Report at the end of the month as a reaction to the perceived course of action by the Government of India on whatever option may finally get exercised. The note also discusses some major long term internal security related issues. The assessment given in the note is based on ( i) analysis of certain relevant memoranda given by the political parties and other groups ( ii) information gained through interaction with different political parties/ groups at State level and during field visits ( districts and villages) ( iii) discussions held with Senior Officers of the State Government including that of the Police Department with District Collectors and Superintendents of Police and with other sources and ( v) own experience.

2. BACKGROUND
2.1 The demand for a separate Telangana State had been existing even before the creation of the State of Andhra Pradesh on November 1, 1956 after the merger of Telangana areas of the erstwhile Hyderabad State with the State of Andhra that had been carved out in 1953 out of the Madras Presidency. Prior to the merger and with a view to provide safeguards for protecting the interest of Telangana, an agreement called ‘ The Gentleman’s Agreement’ involving the leaders of both the regions was signed in February, 1956. However, discontent over the ab- initio non- implementation of some of the key decisions ( ibid Chapter 1 of Report) in the Agreement resulted in a major “ separate Telangana agitation” in 1968- 1969. This agitation which was mainly spearheaded by the students started in Warangal District in December 1968 and spread to other regions of Telangana receiving support of various parties and organizations of the region. In the wake of this agitation there was large scale destruction of public/ private property.
Besides, reportedly it resulted in the death of 57 persons with 217 persons injured as per the figures based on Andhra Pradesh police inputs). The agitation was, however, brought under control after a few months on account of the strong stand taken by Smt. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister. The Government of India promised to undertake remedial action against the violations of the Agreement and P. V. Narasimha Rao belonging to Telangana region, was made Chief Minister of the State on September 30, 1971.
2.2 On 28th March, 1969, the Mulki rules were held invalid by the High Court.
However, the Supreme Court declared them constitutionally valid on October 3, 1972 giving rise to a situation where jobs occupied by the Andhra People were required to be vacated. The reaction to this development was that it led to a strong ‘ Jai Andhra movement’ in Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions in late 1972. This movement also witnessed a high level of violence resulting in 69 causalities. Among these, seven Government personnel were killed and 66 injured. Around 350 citizens were also injured. This movement was also contained through firm handling with the intervention of the Government of India. P. V. Narasimha Rao resigned as CM on January 10, 1973 and President’s Rule was imposed. A political settlement was worked out and a Six Point Formula ( SPF) was agreed upon on September 28, 1973 by both the regions. A Presidential Order was promulgated on May 3, 1975 which provided for accelerated development of backward areas, state level Planning Boards/ Sub Committees for backward areas, reservation for local candidates for non- gazetted posts/ educational institutions, discontinuation of Telangana
Regional Committee and Mulki Rules.
Accordingly, the state was divided into Six Zones and Hyderabad was included in Zone 6.
However, for the State Secretariat, directorates, commissionerates and state level offices located in Hyderabad, recruitment was done treating Hyderabad as a free zone i. e. anybody in the state could compete. Over a period of time, there were violations in the implementation of SPF and GO 610 was issued ( December 30, 1985) to rectify them.
The Girgilani Commission appointed by the State Government pointed out in 2004 that there had been several instances of violations of the GO 610 during the previous 30 years and recommended corrective action. AP High Court also issued direction for implementation of GO 610 within 3 months. The Government issued 4 GOs, out of which GOs 72 and 116 were not implemented, while GOs 399 and 415 were issued and later cancelled.
The implementation of GO 610 in the last 4 to 5 years, however, has been reported to be satisfactory with a major part of the grievances redressed. Recently, the Supreme Court cancelled ( October 9, 2009) the transfer orders of some police inspectors ( as per GO 610), holding that Hyderabad being a cosmopolitan city should be treated as a free zone.
Subsequent to this order the Andhra Pradesh Assembly passed a Resolution on 18.3.2010 as quoted below: “ This House resolves to request the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India to obtain the approval of President of India to Clause ( 1) of Para 14 of the Andhra Pradesh Public Employment ( organization of Local cadres and Regulation of Direct Recruit) Order 1975”. ( The above resolution has been forwarded to Government of India.) 2.3 Meanwhile, simmering discontentment among Telangana people over nonimplementation of various protective provisions for Telangana was highlighted by Telangana Rashtra Samithi ( TRS) which was floated on April 27, 2001 by K Chandrasekhar Rao ( KCR). In 2004 general elections TRS entered into an alliance with the Congress Party with a commitment for creation of Telangana as a separated State. TRS joined both the State and Central Government, and the issue was included in the Common Minimum Programme of UPA- 1. The GoI appointed a Cabinet Sub Committee headed by Pranab Mukherjee on January 5, 2005 to evolve a consensus on the issue. However, the Pranab Committee could not arrive at any clear cut conclusion and reportedly suggested appointment of a Second States’ Reorganisation Commission to look into the issue. KCRejected the suggestion and withdrew from both the central government and state governments in protest. Between 2004 and 2009 KCRepresented the Karimnagar Parliament seat. Sensing adverse mood of the people towards the failure of KCR he resigned his seat in 2006. He retained his seat in the keenly contested bye- election by a huge margin. Many protagonists of Telangana campaigned extensively for that election. Subsequently, KCR started losing support within the party and yet again he enforced bye- elections in four Lok Sabha seats and 16 assembly seats. The outcome of the bypolls was a huge set back as KCR lost many seats held by his partymen. The percentage of vote share obtained by the TRS attracted the attention of TDP and its leader Chandra Babu Naidu to explore a possible tie- up. The TDP which fought the 2004 general elections on the plank of united Andhra Pradesh has reversed its decision to take advantage of the strong sentiment prevailing in the Telangana Districts.
At the time of general elections held in 2009, TRS joined the TDP’s grand alliance. The congress party contested without any allies.
The Telangana Congress leaders asserted that Smt. Sonia Gandhi, would take an appropriate decision on Telangana at an appropriate time.
The TRSuffered big electoral defeat winning just 10 seats for the state assembly and just two seats for the Parliament. The Telangana protagonists deserted the TRS and KCR. Only after the demise of former CM YS Rajasekhar Reddy, the state politics ran into instability bringing back the demand for Telangana state.
The announcement over the formation of State of Telangana made by the union government on 9th December, 2009 had generated unrest among the Seemandhra people. The union government had constituted this committee to examine the demand for a separate state of Telangana as well as the demand for maintaining the present status of a united Andhra Pradesh.

3. PRESENT SITUATION
3.1 The demand for a separate State of Telangana has its root in the perceived discrimination against the people of Telangana by the Seemandhra leaders in the fields of education, water and irrigation resources, job opportunities including employment in Government and issues of development, besides the unfulfilment of some key assurances given in the Gentlemen’s Agreement particularly pertaining to political space for Telangana ( e. g. CM/ Dy. CM).
Different communities/ groups have their own perception on benefits which may accrue to them from the formation of Telangana. In addition, there is a strong emotional factor attached with the demand for a separate state.
The people of Telangana believe that the problem of discrimination against their region that has existed hitherto can only be overcome by having their own independent identity.
3.2 The student community and the unemployed youth feel that the creation of new State will lead to increased employment opportunities for them, as the government jobs in Telangana region will then not go to the Seemandhra people. The student community is already campaigning for 42% reservation in Group- I posts for those belonging to Telangana and boycotted classes/ examinations and organized bandh on the issue on September 4 and 5, 2010, respectively.
Telangana lawyers also see a separate State as an opportunity to get more appointments to the posts of Public Prosecutors, Assistant Public Prosecturors and Standing Counsels in the New State. They, under the banner of Telangana Advocates Joint Action Committee, started an agitation on September 13, 2010 targetting judges and advocates belonging to Seemandhra region demanding a 42% reservation in the said posts. There has been a long standing demand for appointment of the Advocate General hailing from Telangana. The government employees of Telangana also welcome the formation of a new State as they feel that this may lead to faster promotions.
Government employees belonging to Seemandhra region, though generally opposed to the formation of a new State, are not coming out openly against the demand for Telangana, fearing action and witch- hunt by pro- Telangana political parties in the eventuality of a separate State being formed. The expectations of the farmers have also been raised that they will gain both in terms of availability of water as well as power, in the new State. Several caste groups, especially those belonging to backward classes and minorities have also been allured with promises of free education at all levels and increase in reservation for them in government jobs in the new State.
3.3 The Muslim community, especially the All India Majlis Ittehadul Musalmeen ( AIMIM), the main Muslim political party of Andhra Pradesh, is apprehensive of the fate and status of the Muslim community, in the eventuality of a separate Telangana being formed. This concern arises out of the fact that BJP being a strong proponent of the ongoing pro- Telangana agitation is likely to play a bigger role after the formation of a new state. The AIMIM, however, has decided against openly opposing the formation of separate Telangana, fearing a backlash, both against the party and the Muslim community, in the event of the new State being formed. Besides, many Muslims residing in various districts of Telangana are also strongly supporting the new State. Their grievance of not getting adequate jobs and loss of land held by them is noteworthy. Accordingly, AIMIM has diluted its stand of completely opposing Telangana and is now indirectly supporting the formation of a new State albeit, comprising the erstwhile territory of the Nawab of Hyderabad, viz.
Telangana region along with Rayalaseema ( Rayala Telangana) as a second option in case keeping the State united does not work out.
However, this may not be acceptable to the Andhra leaders who would lose Hyderabad completely and also face hardship in securing rights over river waters.
4. POSSIBLE OPTIONS
4.1 The committee has discussed six possible options in the concluding part of the Report not recommending the first three and giving preferential order to the remaining three. The backlash/ law & order problems and the internal security related issues in case of each of the six options/ scenarios ( as listed below) have been covered in this paragraph.
Scenario 1) To treat the movement as a normal law and order situation to be handled purely by the State with usual support from the Centre Scenario 2) Creation of a separate State of Telangana with Hyderabad becoming a Union Territory.
Scenario 3) To merge Rayalaseema with Telangana and create a new State Rayala Telangana with Hyderabad as its Capital Scenario 4) In case of a separate Telangana, creation of a larger Union Territory of Hyderabad by connecting Hyderabad ( HMDA) with Guntur ( Coastal Andhra) in South- East and Kurnool ( Rayalaseema) in the South via Nalgonda and Mehboobnagar ( both Telangana districts) respectively through creation of appropriate corridors by merging a few Mandals with Hyderabad ( HMDA) Scenario 5) To grant Statehood to Telangana with Hyderabad as its Capital Scenario 6) Providing Constitutional/ Statutory safeguards to Telangana region by guaranteeing redressal of the region’s major grievances and keeping the State united.
SCENARIO 1
To treat the movement as a normal law and order situation to be handled purely by the State with usual support from the Centre: ( a) Agitations: ( i) In view of the fact that under this option the employment and other expectations and particularly the emotional satisfaction of the people of Telangana will not be met, immediate backlash will take place in the form of violent agitations in Telangana region which may continue for a few months.
However, besides sporadic agitations on specific demands like employment opportunities, sharing of water resources etc.
may continue for a longer period. In Telangana, the backlash is likely to be more pronounced in TRS dominated districts of Karimnagar, Warangal, Medak and parts of Nizamabad.
( ii) Furthermore it is anticipated that the agitation in and around Hyderabad would be intense, since the various Joint Action Committees of students, advocates, government employees, youth and mass organizations would try to paralyse normal life in and around Hyderabad. The agitations by the coal workers of Singareni Coal Company Ltd ( SCCL) ( spread over Karimnagar, Adilabad, Khammam and Warangal districts) would adversely affect coal production. This in turn would affect the coal supply to the thermal power plants and thus the power position both at the state and national level.
The rail and road traffic in the Telangana region may also be affected. The agitations are also expected to adversely affect the functioning of industrial and other business establishments. The pro- Telangana agitators are likely to target business establishments and financial interests/ assets of the Seemandhra leaders. This will adversely affect the inflow of investments into Hyderabad thus hampering the city’s economic growth and creating public unrest on account of lost employment opportunities.
( iii) The peoples’ representatives especially MLAs, MLCs and MPs from Telangana region belonging to all political parties would be under pressure to resign as evidenced earlier. Telangana Rashtra Samithi ( TRS) and the recently constituted Telangana Praja Front ( TPF – Gaddar) would take the lead in organizing various programmes. Mass resignations could create political crisis in the state. The verbal attack of the Telangana leaders against the Seemandhra leaders is expected to increase. The divisions within Congress, the TDP, as well as the state cabinet will need to be watched and suitably addressed. Public property like government offices, road transport vehicles etc., would need to be secured as they are likely to be the target of the agitationists. Hyderabad has about 100 central institutions including defence establishments and defence research institutions that are important from the national security point of view. A separate plan would have to be drawn up for the protection of these institutions. Besides, the social, economic and political tensions, prolonged Telangana agitation would put a severe strain on the State’s law and order machinery.
( b) Maoist Violence: In the event of the demand of a separate Telangana state not being realized, some of the militant elements which have been in the forefront of the agitations may go underground to revive the Maoist movement in certain pockets of Telangana which, however, could possibly be tackled within a small time- frame with firm political will and strong administrative action.
The Maoists who are active in Dandakaranya and Andhra- Orissa Border areas viz., Khammam, East Godavari, Vizag etc., and certain forest areas of Adilabad, Karimnagar and Warangal may continue to operate along the borders with Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra and Orissa. Their activities might be more intense in Vizag and Khammam regions but the fall out of violence may mostly be confined to these few districts.
( c) Communal Violence : As the State has, by and large, been able to neutralize most of the Jihadi elements in the last two decades and has evolved suitable mechanisms to contain communal and factional resistances, there may not be much change on the position on these two fronts. The status quo may remain. Since the alignment of political forces on communal lines is likely to be less probable, the outbreak of communal violence would be contingent upon extraneous factors.
( d) Migration issues : Since Hyderabad city or greater Hyderabad ( GHMC) limits have been a focused area for development and investments, both skilled and unskilled labour of all the three regions may continue to migrate to Hyderabad city, putting tremendous pressure on the water and land utilization. These migrants may alter the population dynamics of Hyderabad city and the competition for employment opportunities and the subsequent frustration may lead to sporadic conflicts between people of various regions in Hyderabad city.
SCENARIO 2
Creation of separate State of Telangana with Hyderabad becoming a Union Territory ( a) Agitations: Apart from the backlash mentioned in Scenario- 1, there may be severe discontentment among the people of Telangana that Hyderabad city, which has been historically part of Telangana, has been taken away from them. Telangana without Hyderabad will be handicapped in terms of State revenues, industrial growth, employment potential, education, infrastructure and other facilities, leading to large scale dissatisfaction and unrest in the region. Hyderabad could emerge as an Island surrounded by a region that is unhappy with its residents – while the residents of Hyderabad would be dependent
on the surroundings for several resources and transport. In addition, Hyderabad city which is dependent upon Telangana for drinking water supplies, and is surrounded by Telangana, may face the consequences of violent agitations of Telangana which could lead to blockade of supply in drinking water, transportation, other services etc. Hyderabad may also provide the base for agitation to both Telanganites and Seemandhra people.
( b) Maoist Violence: Telangana without Hyderabad city may face a set back with a vast chunk of its populace deprived of economic opportunities and thereby provide a fertile ground for Naxalism to flourish.
Hyderabad city may also be affected by Maoist activities, as Maoists will try to use Hyderabad city for shelter and generation of funds. Since the State would be divided, it may become a difficult task for the security forces to coordinate operations to curb Maoists activities in the urban areas of Hyderabad, in the forest tracts of Telangana and Seemandhra.
( c) Communal Violence : The political forces viz., the AIMIM and the BJP in their race to consolidate and expand their base may arouse passions causing a deeper divide between the Hindus and Muslims. This may create a favourable atmosphere for the communal forces to take charge and cause disharmony, which may have a cascading effect in other parts of Telangana and rest of the country, providing a fertile hunting ground for the terror elements. This scenario may lead to coordination problems for the security forces to carry out their operations.
( d) Migration : Hyderabad as a UT, may also have influx of migrants from other States, increasing pressure on land, water, disparities between people of various regions fuelling social unrest both in Telangana as well as in Hyderabad. The citizens of Telangana may get treated as non- locals in Hyderabad city, limiting their employment prospects and economic growth, and this frustration can lead to conflicts. The students of Telangana region would become more dependent on Hyderabad for advanced studies in professional courses and higher education, as scope for undertaking professional courses presently is rather limited in the Telangana region. This may lead to discontent among the students, fuelling student agitations. In case of a separate Telangana, the feeling is that Rayalaseema will continue to be neglected in Seemandhra.
Hence there is likelihood of starting of the demand for separate Rayalaseema and consequent agitations.
SCENARIO 3
To merge Rayalaseema with Telangana and create a new State Rayalatelangana with Hyderabad as its Capital 1. This scenario is not likely to be accepted either by the pro- Telangana or by the United- Andhra protagonists. The only groups who are likely to be satisfied are i) AIMIM, who have been saying that if a new State has to be carved out, then it should comprise the areas of Telangana and Rayalaseema and ii) certain sections of society of Rayalaseema region.
Since BJP has a strong presence, it may try to consolidate in Telangana areas and further expand its base. AIMIMay try to expand in Rayalaseema regions resulting in birth of militant communalism in certain pockets. The potentially affected areas are expected to be: Adoni ( Kurnool), Kadiri, Hindipur ( Anantapur), Madanapalli, Punganuru ( Chittoor) and Rayachoti and Kadapa town.
2. The emotional as well as the economic aspirations of the people of Telangana will also not be served, as there is a predominant feeling among the people of Telangana that the Rayalaseema leaders have taken over the commercially profitable land of Hyderabad city and will continue to dominate the people of Telangana. It is to be noted that not a single political and social group from Telangana responded favourably to this suggestion wherever the Committee had an opportunity to discuss the same with them.
3. The situation described later in scenario- 5 may also generally apply in this case too in certain respects.
SCENARIO 4
In case of separate Telangana, creation of a larger Union Territory of Hyderabad by connecting Hyderabad ( HMDA) with Guntoor ( Coastal Andhra) in South- East and Kurnool ( Rayalaseema) in the South via Nalgonda and Mahboob Nagar ( both Telangana districts) respectively through creation of appropriate corridors by merging a few Mandals with Hyderabad ( HMDA) 1. This proposal links Hyderabad to all the three regions of the State so that these regions have geographical contiguity and physical access to Hyderabad which has emerged as the key issue in the entire scheme of things.
Hyderabad may then contain the capitals of both Telangana as well as Coastal Andhra and may even cater to the possible resultant aspirations of Rayalaseema.
2. While larger Union Territory of Hyderabad to be governed on a mixed ( Chandigarh Delhi) with a Legislative Assembly and a Lt. Governor may have the advantage of addressing the issue relating to the status of Hyderabad and may even make Hyderabad Megapolis, an economic giant in due course and in the process help the border towns of all the three regions to grow substantially ( as seen in Delhi and Chandigarh), inputs received indicate that reactions to this option are also expected to be on the same lines as indicated in Scenario 2 discussed earlier and there will be, atleast for a period of time, serious agitations particularly from Telangana region on two counts namely ( i) Hyderabad not becoming exclusively the capital of Telangana and ( ii) merging parts of two districts of Telangana for creation of the larger Union Territory. The political agreement on this proposal may also prove to be difficult to arrive at thus creating other governance related tensions. In fact, Scenario 2 would be relatively easier for convincing Telanganites.
SCENARIO 5
To grant Statehood to Telangana with Hyderabad as its Capital 1. In this scenario, although the emotional aspirations of the people of Telangana to have their own State will be satisfied, economic expectations, including enhanced job opportunities which they expect, may not actually materialize. This may lead to frustration among the youth ( who are in the forefront of this agitation), professionals and even farmers. This frustration may lead to ‘ scape- goating’, leading to targeted attacks on Seemandhra settlers and their properties. The reasons for the same are given below:- ( i) The pro- Telangana political parties and forums are blaming the Seemandhra people for the neglect of Telangana region and are offering tall promises after the creation of the new State. However, the fact remains that it would not be possible to fulfill all these promises due to inherent factors. This does not imply that there would be no additional job opportunities and promotional avenues in the new State. However, these numbers are likely to fall way short of expectations.
( ii) The only way, the economic aspirations of the people of Telangana can be met is by accelerated economic development in the region. This is dependent on political stability, maintenance of law and order, availability of natural resources and of skilled manpower. However, it has been experienced in the contemporary period, that Nation and its constituents e. g. states encounter threats from a number of political, social and religious formations with ultra and radical views which tend to threaten the security of nationhood or as in this case statehood. Andhra Pradesh has been under the threat of leftwing extremists for a long period though for the present the problem has been largely contained. The important question that emerges in this context is that, whether a separate State of Telangana can sustain the state supremacy over the leftwing agitations and threats from other radical/ extremists organizations/ groups. As discussed in the succeeding sub- paragraphs, the existing scenario in regard to this issue does not offer an optimistic picture. Most of the industries etc. are located in and around Hyderabad. With the bifurcation of the state and Hyderabad in Telangana region, incidents of agitations, dharnas and even violence, are expected. This may result in flight of capital, stagnant growth and disincentive for entrepreneurs, leading to slow down of economic activity. In the short term Hyderabad may witness a vicious cycle of agitations, slow down of economic activity and greater frustration. These factors along with irrigation/ water issues would have a definite adverse impact on revenue generation and industrial development of the State and may actually offset any gains in terms of additional employment opportunities and promotional avenues that will emerge.
( iii) There is also every likelihood of revival of agitations against the formation of a new State in the Seemandhra region, including in the city of Hyderabad.
( a) Maoist violence: ( i) The Maoists are also likely to gain by the creation of a new state. The new state is likely to be soft towards them initially, given that they have over the years supported the struggle for the formation of Telangana. By the time the state realizes the Maoist menace, it may be too late for the state to handle them with a bifurcated police force contributing to a weaker response to the problem. The CPI ( Maoist) will also use political boundaries of state and districts, to their advantage. It is not without reason that most of the Maoist zones, sub- zones etc., straddle state and district boundaries.
Experience shows that inter- state coordination in anti- naxal operations still has a lot of catching up to do and the Naxals have taken advantage of this weakness. Telangana is also contiguous with other highly affected Maoist areas viz., Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra States. As such it is likely that the Maoists will extend their activities from these neighbouring states to Telangana, especially the districts of Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Khammam, parts of Nizamabad and Medak in north Telangana and Mahboobnagar and Nalgonda in south Telangana. It is important to note that it is not entirely a coincidence that the increased spread of Maoist violence in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, has been after thecreation of these states. Increase in poverty which is a natural corollary to a slowdown in economic activity, will drive more people into the arms of the CPI ( Maoist). This may again lead to a vicious cycle of naxalism, leading to less of economic activity and greater impoverishment, which may provide fillip to left wing extremism.
( ii) An important development that has to be noted is that after K. Chandra Shekar Rao gave up his fasting protest on 30.11.2009, Gaddar organized wide spread protests and later the top leadership of Maoists including Kishanji @ Mallojula Koteshwar have organized various protests programs through students of Osmania University and other universities of Telangana. Thus, while the student’s involvement in the Telangana agitation became very intense due to the encouragement of the local committees of the Maoists, Telangana Rashtra Samithi was also forced to utilize simmering sentiment in the students. When the intensity of the agitation by TRStarted ebbing down, Gaddar floated a new front called Telangana Praja Front ( TPF) on the instructions of the underground cadre of the Maoists to sustain agitation for a very prolonged duration. This front which is totally Maoist backed and motivated, tried to project itself as an alternate to KCR and TRS. Thus, the Maoists are trying to make a come back through the Telangana agitation. The impact of possible growth of Maoist/ Naxal influence in Telangana has to be evaluated in the right perspective keeping in mind that a large number of important and sensitive industries are located in and around Hyderabad.
Although TPF had sometime back moved away from TRS, they have again come back together which is a matter of serious concern.
( b) Communal Violence: ( i) Historically speaking Telangana area has more communally sensitive areas, due to the long 400 years of Qutub Shahi and Nizam rule and Razakar movement during the postindependence days. Telangana region, most specifically Hyderaad city has witnessed many communal riots which in most of the cases were triggered by very small and trivial issues.
The Hindu passions are being incited by the right wing parties which has also contributed to the outbreak of communal riots. The pockets which are vulnerable to the communal riots are Hyderabad city, Nirmal and Bhainsa of Adilabad, Nizamabad, Bodhan and Kamareddy of Nizamabad district, Jagityal, Korutla, Karimnagar towns of Karimnagar district, Zaheerabad and Medak town in Medak district, Nalgonda, Bhongir areas of Nalgonda district, Mahbubnagar and Narayanpet areas of Mahbubnagar district, Tandur and Vikarabad of Rangareddy district.
There is a certain sense of mutual suspicion between two communities who are living in the above mentioned areas. If communal passions become an additional factor in an atmosphere where unemployment, social unrest etc. exist, it may give rise to birth of militant Jihadi elements. The intelligence wing of the State Police and the IB will be more informed on this aspect. Telangana has large number of Muslim pockets and to counter Muslim influence, Hindu fundamentalists may compete with them and try to polarize the Hindu population. This unhealthy competition between Hindu and Muslim fundamentalist groups may tend to reduce the influence of the main stream secular political parties like the Congress and the Communists in the long run.
( ii) The AIMIM, BJP, RSS and Vishwa Hindu Parishad have a reasonably strong presence in the Telangana Region and in general take to inciting passions, indulging in communal rhetoric etc. Both political parties ( AIMIM & BJP) will be competing to expand their bases in Telangana state and in the process will try to ignite passions creating potential for communal unrest.
( c) Education implications : Most of the major educational infrastructure in the Telangana region has historically been owned by the Seemandhra people and it is located mostly within the limits of greater Hyderabad.
The student community which is spearheading the separate Telangana agitation has been using these educational institutions for their agitational activities. This may lead to migration of the faculty as well as these institutions, impacting/ reducing the availability of local persons who can be productively engaged by the industry/ business- houses.
( d) Migration issues: ( i) Telangana region is mineral rich having deposits of limestone, and granite. The dominant industries here are thermal power stations, pharmaceuticals etc., which are mostly managed by Seemandhra people. One of the main propaganda issues in the Telangana agitation has been that once a separate state is created, the job opportunities in all these industries will be made available to the people of Telangana. Many of the owners and skilled personnel in these industries have historically been from the Seemandhra region, the inability to substitute them with sufficient number of qualified locals may lead to conflict between the locals and non- locals and also between the management and the workforce.
Telangana region is dependent on coal reserves for its power generation while Seemandhra region, though dependent on coal reserves, is rapidly expanding its energy sources, viz., gas, wind, solar and nuclear. Thus, energy deficiencies may lead to migration of population, imbalance in the employment opportunities, which may become a cause for social unrest.
( ii) Farming in Telangana is mostly dependent on ground and rain water and lift
irrigation schemes which require substantial amount of electrical energy. The present Government has extended free power facility to the farmers across the state which has benefitted the small and marginal farmers in Telangana region to a large extent. Some districts of Telangana region such as Nalgonda, Medak, Mahbubnagar and Hyderabad are industrially developed and hence consume substantial amount of energy. Since Telangana region energy sources are largely coal based thermal power plants, any economic imbalance may lead to energy starvation of the small and marginal farmers which will adversely affect the productivity of the land. This can cause decline in their earnings which may result in distress sale of lands and their migration to the industrial belt in the Hyderabad city. This may further cause change in the population profile, pressure on unskilled employment sector, land and water utilization in Hyderabad which in turn may accentuate inter- regional rivalry and tensions in Hyderabad area.
( iii) Telangana area is dominated by upper caste Reddys and Velamas, while the bulk of population is from the backward community, viz. Munnur Kapu, Mudhiraj, Gouds, Padmashalis and the Scheduled Caste Community of which the majority are ‘ madigas’. Historically, the political and economic activity has always been dominated by the Reddys and Velamas, and an important cause of naxalism was feudalism and discrimination by the dominant castes over the others. Even today while the leaders of the separate Telangana agitation are from dominant castes, the actual foot soldiers are mainly from the BCs and SCs, who are aspiring to acquire political space and leadership. These aspirations, if not realized may become an important factor contributing to social unrest.
SCENARIO 6
Providing Constitutional / Statutory safeguards to Telangana region by guaranteeing redressal of the region’s major grievances and keeping the State united 1. This option would not satisfy the people of Telangana having regard to the entrenched emotional feelings they harbor for creation of a separate state. Their sentiments have reached a heightened level in the recent past, were well echoed in the 12 Assembly byeelections of August 2010 and as such have to be fully addressed. The likely agitational activities have been discussed in the section dealing with Scenario 1 but it can be safely said that the intensity of agitations in many parts of Telangana by students, non- gazetted officials, lawyers, unemployed youth and even the farmers will be very high. While the emotional aspect, that of being discriminated against by the Seemandhra people is likely to remain, the extent to which the emotional aspirations ( the fulfillment of the psychological need of selfgovernance) are taken care of by the constitutional / statutory guarantees will determine the extent of backlash by the pro- Telangana people, their demand for a separate State not having been met. It is also equally important that such guarantees are articulated clearly and effectively brought to the notice of the general public of Telangana by all possible means.
2. The guarantees/ economic package have to necessarily include the following, to at least meet some of the important demands of the Telangana people: ( i) Psychological assurance that the people of Telangana shall not be discriminated against as perceived by them in the past and would be appropriately empowered in the decision making process such as the representatives of Telangana being given key positions in the government. In order to achieve this, the earlier arrangements like the decisions made in the Gentlemen’s Agreement may have to be revisited and if need be suitably expanded and strengthened.
( ii) To ensure that the statutory guarantees/ safeguards provided are properly implemented, provision should be made for taking out an Annual Report Card of their implementation as a confidence building measure for the people of Telangana.
( iii) The above Annual Report Card may also include the implementation of other recommendations made by the Committee and accepted by the Government pertaining to different sectors such as education, employment and irrigation and water resources etc. The above actions are extremely important as confidence building measures since implementation on some of the mutually agreed decisions and even Government orders has been found to be tardy and slow in the past.
3. The impression that the Telangana people have been somewhat let down in view of the fact that though earlier an indication had been given that the process of creation of a new State would be initiated and now since this will not be done in case the State is to stay united, has to be dispelled in a suitable manner bringing out that it is in the best long term interest not only for the people of the State but also for the people of Telangana. It is to be effectively instilled in their minds that this option is the best possible solution under the circumstances, not only for the State but for Telangana as well. Towards this end all/ most of the stakeholders/ important leaders of the State and media have to be brought on the same page, primarily through an active interactive process.
4. Some opinions have been expressed that this situation can also be exploited by the Maoists on the plea that unless an armed / violent agitation is carried out by the people of Telangana, Government of India will not create Separate Telangana. This call by the Maoists may attract unemployed youth both in rural and urban areas to join the movement and hence needs to be watched.
5. CONCLUSION
5.1 In view of the background of the complex situation, it would be seen that under each of the scenarios listed above, there is a high possibility of immediate agitational backlash in different regions of the State. While a strategy for handling medium and long term internal security dimensions, as discussed in the foregoing paras, that may emerge can be developed as the final decision on the issue is taken by the government, the need of the hour will be to handle the immediate backlash. In this context, the fact that TRS, the most vocal and aggressive amongst the political parties, has held the ‘ Telangana Maha Garjana’ rally at Warangal on December 16, 2010, reportedly attended by nearly 5 lakh people and has also plans to launch a civil disobedience movement after December 31, 2010 while initiating the action under ‘ Maha Yudham’ ( a massive war ) if Centre does not announce a separate Telangana, has to be kept in mind. Now since Telangana Praja Front ( Gaddar) and TRS have come together the situation has become even more serious.
5.2 The most important requirement for addressing the law and order problems that may arise in our view will be i) political clarity in terms of the future course of action and ii) the need for effective governance. The following mechanism is suggested to control the law and order situations that may emerge soon after the report is submitted and becomes public. The mechanism essentially should cover three areas i. e. i) political management and sensitization of political parties ii) media management and iii) high level of preparedness by the State Government ( Administration, Police, Intelligence, etc.) with needed and adequate support from the Centre.
5.3 Going by the history of similar agitations earlier, the sensitivities involved and the emotional undercurrent running across the State, the aim of this exercise has to be to take all possible actions in advance so that the possible backlash and law and order situations are contained and controlled effectively with minimum damage to human life and public and private properly while at the same time ensuring that the normal systems continue to operate and function in the State in a peaceful manner.
5.4 Role of National Integration Council ( NIC) : It is also felt that besides the action( s) suggested above, there is simultaneously a need for the National Integration Council ( NIC) to play a pro- active role in the State with a view to foster a sense of harmony amongst different communities so that the divisive conflicts are taken care of disorder and violence is avoided and the important goals and objectives of socioeconomic growth are achieved irrespective of the fact whether the division of the State takes place or not. The Committee feels that as enshrined in the charter of the NIC it has to be suitably emphasized that the social and economic justice can only be achieved if all the natives regardless of their linguistic, religious ethnic or cultural affiliations work towards this objective in a peaceful and harmonious manner. The Committee therefore, suggests that in the instant case a suitable mechanism in this regard may be devised by the NIC in consultation with the Union and the State Governments for implementation in the State in addition to the other suggestions articulated in para 5.2 above. N. B. : may also kindly see the Supplementary Note ( 3 pages) attached.
SUPPLEMENTARY NOTE
a) Political Management: ( i) There is a need for ensuring unity among the leaders of the ruling party in the State. There is also a need for providing strong and firm political leadership and placement of representatives of Telangana in key positions ( may be CM / Dy.
CM) ( Since done). This aspect was discussed with FM & HM in September 2010. Action also needs to be initiated for softening the TRS to extent possible, especially in the context of the fact that TRS has threatened to launch a civil disobedience movement after December 31 and also initiate a ‘ Maha Yuddam’ ( a Massive war) if Centre does not announce a Separate Telangana. Gaddar’s TPF ( Telangana Praja Front) who had parted company with TRS have again joined hands with TRS. Inputs indicate that this agitation can be tackled if Telangana Congress leaders do not give an impression indicating any covert/ over support to it. Hence the Telangana Congress MPs / MLAs need to be taken into confidence and asked not to lend any form of support to the agitation. The Congress High Command must sensitize its own MPS and MLAs and educate them about the wisdom for arriving at an acceptable and workable solution. With the ruling party and also the main opposition party ( the TDP run by Chandra Babu) must be brought on the same page, the support mechanisms have a higher probability of becoming successful. The TDP must be advised not to participate in any further meetings that would be called by the Centre.
This could be an effective stumbling block for any meaningful dialogue on resolving the Telangana demand. The Andhra Congress MPs belonging to Kamma caste must be encouraged to work in tandem with TDP leadership which is now caught in a bad shape.
( ii) Further, on receipt of the Committee’s Report by the Government, a general message should be conveyed amongst the people of the State that Centre will be open for detailed discussions on the recommendations / options of the Report with the concerned leaders / stakeholders either directly or through a Group of Ministers or through important interlocutors and that this process will start at the earliest. But every method must be adopted to avoid giving finality to any discussions to drag on the matter until the agitation is totally brought under control.
( c) Media Management: ( i) Andhra Pradesh has got about 13 Electronic Channels and 5 major local Newspapers which are in the forefront of molding the public opinion. Except for two Channels ( Raj News & HMTV), the rest of them are supporters of a united Andhra Pradesh. The equity holders of the channels except the above two and the entire Print Media are with the Seemandhra people. The main editors/ resident and subeditors, the Film world etc. are dominated by Seemandhra people. A coordinated action on their part has the potential of shaping the perception of the common man. However, the beat journalists in the respective regions are locals and are likely to capture only those events/ news which reflect the regional sentiments. This can be tackled by the owners of the media houses by systematically replacing the local journalists by those from Seemandhra wherever it is possible.
( ii) Hyderabad city which is expected to be the center of most of the agitations is generally covered by those journalists who are votaries of a separate Telangana. Hence a lot of media hype on the Osmania University Students agitation, self- immolations etc. may be created. Therefore, media management assumes critical importance to ensure that only the reality is projected and no unnecessary hype is created. In the immediate past, it is observed that the media coverage on the issue has shown a declining trend resulting in a lower intensity of the agitation. Each of the media houses are affiliated to different political parties. In the Print Media all major newspapers are owned by Seemandhra people and the Regional contents published by them play a vital role. Most of the editors except Andhra Jyothi are pro- united A. P. However, similar to the electronic channels, the print media have also got political affiliations. The editorial opinions, the banner headlines, the Regional content, the District editions need to be managed to be realistic and should give only due coverage to the separate Telangana agitations. The print media is hugely dependent on the Government for advertisement revenue and if carefully handled can be an effective tool to achieve this goal.
However, the RTI Act may prove to be an impediment for the Government to deny due share of ads to publications supporting the Telangana demand.
( iii) In concrete terms, it needs to be particularly ensured that media does not: ( a) Create a Psychosis of fear amongst the public ( b) Indulge in general and baseless speculations that can create unnecessary hype of any kind ( c) Arouse communal passions ( d) Show old and irrelevant clippings of violence / violent agitations etc.
For this purpose necessary prohibitory orders under appropriate provisions of law can be issued in advance.
( d) Full Preparedness ( i) As under each of the options there is a high possibility of agitational backlash, notwithstanding the actions taken in advance as suggested in ( a) and ( b) above, an appropriate plan of deployment grid of police force ( both Central and State) with full technical support needs to be immediately drawn up. Advance preparedness in this regard would go a long way in containing the law and order situation and minimize destruction of lives and property.
It would also be necessary to have a mechanism for monitoring the situation and collection of real time intelligence with a view to ensure taking up of effective advance action to preempt any break of violence in the potentially troubled spots. The likely troubled spots ( e. g.
Osmania, Kakatia, Krishna Devraya Universities etc.) and the trouble creators in the three regions must be identified in advance and suitable action plan prepared. In my discussions with Chief Secretary and DGP, the kind of equipment and weaponry to be used were also discussed and it was agreed that weaponry used should be such as not to cause fatal injuries, while at the same time effective enough to bring the agitationists quickly under control.
In a nutshell it may be concluded that the first couple of months will be critical after the submission of the Report, as speculative stories will thrive and emotions of people incited.
Related posts:

Jun 10, 2011 7:19 PM

Manmohan promises to take up Telangana issue with Core committee

by admin

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday assured a delegation of Congress Ministers, MPs, MLAs and MLCs from the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh that he would take up their sentiments on forming a separate Telangana State with the party’s core committee and also convey this message to Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
Mr. Mukherjee has convened a meeting for June 15 with elected representatives of the Congress from the region.
The Prime Minister listened carefully and did not make any comment when the delegation, led by senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member K. Keshava Rao, conveyed to him that the people of the Telangana region were asking the elected representatives why they were not quitting their posts as they had failed to get them the separate State that was promised in the 2004 Congress election manifesto and subsequently promised by Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on December 9, 2009 and mentioned in the President Pratibha Patil address to Parliament in 2010.
Member of Parliament from Peddapalli, G. Vivekanand, who was part of the delegation, said that the delegation conveyed to the Prime Minister the general apprehension on the revival of naxalism — which had been wiped out from the Telangana region — if the separate State was not formed immediately.
The Prime Minister was informed of the urgency in taking a decision on the imbroglio as more than 600 persons had committed suicide for the cause of a Telangana State, he claimed.
The former APCC president and Rajya Sabha member, V. Hanumantha Rao, highlighted the need for taking specific action by the Centre on the issue as any further delay might boomerang on the government and the party.
Mr. Keshava Rao said they had told Dr. Manmohan Singh in a clear-cut manner that the elected representatives could not continue in the posts for long if the Centre failed to take an early positive action on the contentious issue.
Among others, the delegation was joined by Andhra Pradesh’s Major Industries Minister J. Geeta Reddy, Primary Education Minister Sailajanath Sake, nine MPs from both Houses of Parliament, nine MLAs, and two MLCs. The meeting lasted about 45 minutes.
Related posts:

Jun 8, 2011 12:59 PM

The biggest and most intense agitation ahead

by admin

The state is set to witness the “biggest and most intense agitation” over Telangana till now in the run-up to the Monsoon Session of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly starting on July 11. The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and the Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC) are planning to start mobilising people for the purpose from later this week to take their agitation to the “next and final level”.
The intensified agitation would cover the entire Telangana region, with Telangana organisations planning a strike and an “indefinite shutdown” to bring the region, and the state administration, to a grinding halt. The date of the strike will be announced this week.
“All state government and private employees will go on strike. Universities, colleges and schools will not function, rail services will come to a halt and all state highways and national highways will be blocked,” said a TRS member after a meeting with TJAC on Tuesday.

“Unlike last time, government employees will not negotiate with the state to resume work until an announcement towards the formation of Telangana as a separate state is announced. It will be the final agitation this time that will give us Telangana.”
Pro-Telangana organisations are also planning another ‘Million March’. “The police created a lot of hurdles last time. But there will be no stopping now,” said TRS president K Chandrasekhara Rao.
Telangana groups have been demanding that MLAs and MPs elected from the Telangana region should resign in protest against the delay in the formation of the separate state. “We will ensure that these Telangana legislators and parliamentarians are socially boycotted. We will not allow them to visit their constituencies,” said a TJAC leader.

“Congress MLAs and MPs cannot get away with excuses this time. We want them to quit and create a constitutional crisis so that the Centre is forced to make the announcement that all of us are so eagerly waiting for.”
The TRS chief said the agitation would reach the final stage and would be bigger and more fierce than all previous agitations over Telangana.

Related posts:

Jun 8, 2011 8:30 AM

Pranab calls for Telangana meet on June 15th

by admin

The Union finance minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, has convened a meeting of Congress elected representatives from Telangana on June 15 to discuss the separate statehood issue.
Information to this effect has been communicated to all the representatives of the region and the convenor of state Congress MPs’ forum, Mr Ponnam Prabhakar, also confirmed the meeting. Since AP Congress affairs in-charge Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, will be back from his US trip on June 14, the meeting has been scheduled for the next day. Apart from Mr Azad, Mr Ahmed Patel and Union minister of petroleum, Mr Jaipal Reddy, are slated to attend.
This is the first time that the Congress Central leadership has convened a joint meeting of all elected representatives from the region on the issue and it seems that the central Congress leadership has finally agreed to look into the statehood issue before the next Parliament Session. Mr Mukherjee had earlier sought time for addressing the issue after Assembly polls in May.
Related posts:

Jun 7, 2011 10:34 PM

We will bow our head before High Command’s decision on T : Botsa

by admin

Newly-appointed Andhra Pradesh Congress committee president Botsa Satyanarayana has said that taking everybody along and improving the coordination between the party and the government will be among his top priorities. He said his target would be to win the 2014 elections.
Satyanarayana, popularly known as Satti Babu, on Tuesday arrived to a rousing reception from his supporters, including a few ministers and MLAs, at the Hyderabad airport.
Talking to the media Satyanarayana, who hails form Vizianagaram district in coastal Andhra, said that on Telangana issue final decision will be that of the party High Command. “We will bow our head before whatever decision high command takes”, he said.
The remark assumes significance because Satyanarayana is known to be favourably inclined towards the division of Andhra Pradesh. He has often said that there was nothing wrong if the demand of Telangana people for a separate Telangana state was conceded.
Satyanarayana has been appointed in place of D Srinivas of Telangana who had completed two terms as the party president in the state. Satyanarayana’s choice has come as a surprise to some as the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy was known to be against his appointment.
Satyanrayana was earlier in the race for the post of the Chief Minister in which his younger colleague N Kiran Kumar Reddy piped him. He was also bitter that Kiran Kumar Reddy had given him a less significant portfolio of transport when he formed his cabinet in November last year.
Kiran Kumar Reddy was understood to be apprehensive that a much stronger and aggressive Satyanrayana will emerge as a rival power centre in the party creating new problems for him. The chief minister was in favour of either Ponnala Lakshmaiah or D Sridhar Babu (both from Telangana) taking over as the state Congress chief.
However the High command seems to have been convinced by the argument of Satyanarayana that the Congress should also give opportunity to the members of other castes to over come the image that it was the party of Reddys only.
Botsa Satyanarayana belong to the Kapu community, same as film star Chiranjeevi, whose Praja Rajyam Party is all set to merge in to Congress. Party sources said that Satyanarayana and Chiranjeevi have promised to the high command to work together to strengthen the Congress and bring Kapus closer to the Congress party. It is significant because many important Kapu leaders in Andhra region were supporting rebel leader Y S Jaganmohan Reddy.
The appointment of new PCC President is part of the wider game plan of the Congress high command to set party’s house in order in Andhra Pradesh. It has already filled the key positions of Speaker, Deputy Speaker and the Chairman of legislative council.
The formal announcement of the appointment of a Deputy Chief Minister will be the next in the list. It is already known that the party high command has chosen a scheduled caste leader form Telangana Damodar Rajanarasimha for the post of the deputy Chief Minister.
After this the high command was expected to give its nod for the expansion and reshuffle of the cabinet, giving three berths to the Praja Rajyam Party. The formal merger of Congress and PRP was expected as soon the Central Election commission gives its clearance.
However Telangana continues to be a major headache for the Congress leadership. Party MP Madhu Yashki again reiterated that if no decision was taken on Telangana state issue this month, all the Telangana Congress MPs will resign. He told a group of Telangana lawyers, who had held a demonstration at his residence on Tuesday demanding his resignation that a meeting of Telangana Congress leaders will be held on June 21 in which the future course of action will be decided.
Another Congress MP Ponnam Prabhakar said that solving Telangana problem will be the responsibility of the four top leaders Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, PCC President Botsa Satyanarayana, Speaker D Manohar and Legislative Council Chairman R Chakrapani. All of them belong to Andhra and Rayala Seema region.
Related posts:

Jun 7, 2011 11:24 AM

Telangana is not an easy issue to solve : Azad

by admin

During an interaction with journalists in Delhi, AICC general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad said he had heard the opinions of leaders of both the regions for two days when he visited Hyderabad recently. “Telangana leaders wanted a separate state and Andhra leaders insisted that the state remain united. It is a problem which cannot be solved easily,” he said.
He also disapproved of deadlines that Congress MPs had been setting for the party leadership to make an announcement on Telangana. He wanted them to “realise the compulsions of a national party before raising a demand.” He said he would talk to them.
Reacting to Azad’s comments, TRS leader Etela Rajender said “by saying that division of the state is not easy, the Congress has once again made its stand known that it is against Telangana,” and asked: “If Telangana is not easy, why did the Congress forge an electoral alliance with us in 2004? Why did they make the Dec 9, 2009 announcement?”.
Rajya Sabha member K Keshava Rao, who is leading the Congress MPs from Telangana region, said: “Azad did not say Telangana will not be given. He merely said it will take time.” But he also said any delay might cause irreparable damage to the party’s prospects in the region.
“If a decision is announced now, it might not harm the prospects of the party in Andhra region,” he opined.
“In Kadapa, we lost deposit in the by-elections. Has the delay in announcement of Telangana helped us there?” he questioned and maintained that all the 17 Lok Sabha seats in the region would go to the Congress in 2014 if the party announces a decision in favour of Telangana.
He reiterated the resolve of the Congress MPs to press for the cause. “We will go to Delhi on June 10 and impress upon the party high command the need for an early announcement on Telangana.
We will meet again on June 25 to decide our future course of action,” he said.
Nagam Janardhan Reddy said if the Centre delayed Telangana anymore, people would not allow Congress leaders to visit villages. “They will be externed from villages,” he warned and said he would raise the issue at the Telangana Nagara to be held in Adilabad on June 13.
Related posts:

Jun 7, 2011 9:30 AM

Charlotte Telangana Association – Khelo Telangana 2011 Picnic

by santhu_p

Charlotte Telangana Association is proud to announce its Second Summer Picnic (KHELO TELANGANA 2011) for our fellow Telanganites living in Greater Charlotte Area. Its a full day ‘fun in the sun’ event that includes games for the entire family, Telangana lingo qiuz, Grilling, Grand potluck, ice cream and more…
On behalf of CTA, we invite you to join the annual picnic event – KHELO TELANGANA 2011.
Date: June 11th, 2011 (Saturday)
Time: 10:30AM through 7:00PM
Location:

Latta Planatation & Nature Preserve, Shelter # 15225, Sample Road, Huntersville, NC 28078

For further details, please contact:
“Santhosh Pasula”

Phone: 704-905-1939

Website: http://www.charlottetelangana.com
Related posts:

Jun 7, 2011 8:23 AM

Telangana movement gets a newspaper to advocate its cause

by vishnupvvr

Namasthe Telangana rolled off the presses on Monday, seeking to galvanize the region’s campaign for separation from Andhra Pradesh and to provide a platform for activists who complain the mainstream media is biased against the cause of Telangana statehood.
Namaste Telangana will start with a print run of 750,000 copies across seven editions, said Katta Shekar Reddy, chief executive officer of Telangana Publications Pvt. Ltd. The daily—a 12-page broadsheet with a 16-page tabloid supplement containing local news—will have 800 employees including 210 journalists, he said.
It will be priced at Rs.3 on weekdays and Rs.3.50 on Sundays—the same as the cover price of the most read paper in the state, Eenadu.
In Hyderabad, public buses have been emblazoned with the sloganTelangana gunde chappudu (Telangana’s heartbeat) as the publishers and staff prepare for the newspaper’s first edition inside a four-storey building on Road No. 10, Banjara Hills.
It will be the latest entrant in a crowded industry that already has seven Telugu mainstream newspapers competing for readership and advertising.Eenadu, Sakshi, Andhra Jyothi, Vaartha, Andhra Bhoomi, Andhra Prabha andPrajasakti have a combined average issue readership in excess of 14 million, according to the Indian Readership Survey for the fourth quarter of 2010.
“There is no newspaper that supports the Telangana cause,” Shekar Reddy said on Thursday in his third-floor office. “We need a paper to support the cause and to rejuvenate our culture, history and social traditions.”
The mainstream media, dominated by publishers from coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions, is biased against the Telangana movement, said Shekar Reddy, a 23-year journalism veteran who moved to the newspaper from Mahaa TV, although he didn’t cite specific instances of this bias. The media tends to “belittle” the movement and Telangana leaders, he said.
News developments in the state have been seen through “the eyes of the Seemandhra (coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema) media” because Telangana has lacked a newspaper to promote the region and its interests, he said, adding: “Now we want to show our own picture of issues.”
Many journalists came to the newspaper from existing newspapers on their own, out of a zeal to work for a Telangana publication, he said. Most are backers of the movement. Some 45 of the 210 journalists have been trained at Namaste Telangana itself.
Editor Allam Narayana has moved to Namaste Telangana after working as an assistant editor at Andhra Jyothi. “I have joined Namaste Telangana for the cause of Telangana,” he said.
Shekar Reddy said the publication of the newspaper involves an investment of Rs.40-50 crore and Rs.20-30 crore of initial operating capital. Some of the money came in the form of bank loans, he said.
Four people, including Chandrasekhara Rao, are partners in the project, according to D. Damodar Rao, managing director of Telangana Publications and a partner himself.
Public response has been so good that the newspaper stopped a subscription drive well in advance of the publication date, said Damodar Rao, a tax lawyer.
“We never thought we would get this kind of response,” he said.
To be sure, other Telugu newspapers have their own political sympathies, as do newspapers published in other states.
Sakshi, for instance, is published by Congress party rebel Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who also runs a channel of the same name. Eenadu has traditionally been perceived to be close to the Telugu Desam Party, the main opposition, having backed it in its initial years under the late N.T. Rama Rao, a former movie star, who parlayed his slogan of fighting for Telugu pride into political power.
“Any new entrant has to cut into existing readership, but a new readership is also coming into the market” with the launch of Namaste Telangana, said the editor of a mainstream newspaper, who belongs to Telangana, but did not want to be identified by his name or publication. A challenge the new “movement newspaper” will face is to remain relevant going beyond the Telangana campaign, the editor said.
Shekar Reddy has that figured out. If and when a state of Telangana is formed, the newspaper will switch to setting “the agenda for the development of Telangana”, he said. Both Shekar Reddy and Damodar Rao say Namaste Telangana will be a business proposition as much as it will be a mouthpiece of the Telangana movement. Initially, though, the newspaper is looking to circulation than advertising.
“Initially, we are not expecting much corporate support, because we have to establish our numbers; we have to get the ABC (Audit Bureau of Circulation certification) and all those things,” Shekar Reddy said. When the newspaper establishes itself, it will venture into the metros, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata, in search of corporate advertising, he said.
Analysts say there is space for a regional newspaper focused on Telangana and the movement for statehood given its vast population and public sentiment.
“The regional movement has generated more political consciousness,” said K. Nageshwar, a professor of journalism at Osmania University who is also an independent member of the legislative council. “Literacy rates are expanding. It is fertile ground for media to grow. It (Telangana) has an almost four crore population—bigger than that of many states like Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, and Assam.”
“There is market space. Given the fragmentation of the ad cake, whether ad revenue comes in depends on other factors—who reads it, what is their socio-economic background, consumption behaviour,” he said.
As the numbers get crunched, Namaste Telangana publishers are trying to introduce a bit of emotion to the opening ceremony. The mothers of two Osmania University students who committed suicide for the cause of Telangana have been invited to preside over the ceremony, said Shekar Reddy.
Source : LiveMint

Jun 4, 2011 10:59 AM

Panel to Study Employment for Telanganites

by AbdulMuqtadir Syed

A one-man commission has been constituted on Friday by the state government to study the implementation of the Presidnetial order in providing employment to Telangana people in all government departments. The commission is constituted in accordance with the agreement reached between the state government and Telangana Joint Action Committee (T-JAC) of employees, teachers and workers following the non-cooperation movement launched in March this year.
According to an order issued by chief secretary S V Prasad, a retired judge of the AP High Court will head the commission and the terms of reference for it along with the name of the judge will be announced soon. The tenure of the commission will be initially for a period of one year. The chief secretary also issued two other orders in pursuance of the same agreement under which heads of departments and heads of offices, as specified in the Presidential Order, have been directed to review all deputations and appointments made by transfer in violation of the order.
The government took three months to constitute the commission after it reached an agreement with the JAC which threatened to re-launch its agitation if the government did not concede its demands including statehood for Telangana.
The Telangana aspirators say, this is another delay tactic by the state and central govt. to delay the formation of T and time given to the panel is one complete year, meaning another one year of wait and watch after SKC.
Related posts:

Jun 3, 2011 9:54 AM

Wither T’Traitors!

by admin

The Congress and TDP legislators of Telangana are proving to be the most detestable traitors to Telangana cause. They have become the proverbial millstones around the neck of Telangana. Except a couple of them, all are in league with their ‘alien’ controllers to sabotage Telangana State, in their own treacherous way. The T-TDP have even started resorting to ‘adding insult to injury’ to Telangana people in collaboration with the enemy. They are not even a 100 in all, yet they are able to keep the gargantuan effort of 4 crore Telangana people at bay, with the log jam created by their bosses Sonia and CBN.
T’Congress:
Ministers:
All the Ministers from Telangana except one are incorrigible camp followers of adhishtanam. They sing different tunes when in the cabinet and when they are out of it. The one, who has resigned from the ministry after some drama and long procrastination, still sings in praise of Sonia Gandhi, and says she is infallible. He is also reluctant to lose his MLA ship and thinks asininely that his ‘abhiyan’makes it possible to change the mindset of his adhishtanam.Though we don’t know what would be the end result of his ‘abhiyan’, at least he came out of the ‘andhra’ cabinet and sent a message to his adhishtanam and his colleagues.
The rest of 13 ministers, have constantly indulged in treason against Telangana. They were hand in glove with Andhra cabinet to implement every anti-telangana activity since 9, December, 2009.Infact sometimes, like in case of Sridhar Babu, they have shown more loyal than the king’ attitude in dealing with anti-telangana measures of the cabinet. The trio Mukesh, Narsimha and Nagendar are the worst examples of treason to their own people. They never were able to support legitimate demands of Telangana people and simply followed suit to andhra administration’s draconian rule against Telangana.It is very difficult to find such instances of treason against their own constituency in independent India. We may have to seek examples from medieval history. They are shoddier than ‘Ambhi’ and ‘Jaichand’ of our history. There is no hope of them demanding Telangana from their ‘adhishtanam’ as long as they remain in the cabinet, or they do not face elections for themselves. Their subservience to powers that be is so ultimate. Their obstinate refusal to come out in support of Telangana is an incredible paradox.
MPs:
Our congress MPs are a motley crowd. A couple of them like Vinodh and G S Reddy sound very sincere. KK’s cacophonous theatrics, S.Rajiah’s insincere loud barkings, Rajagopal’s specious utterances, do not inspire much confidence. If questioned closely likes of Yashky and Mantha, become truculent and claim that they are doing much more than anybody else, despite being in the ruling party as if to mean that they are doing ‘meherbani’ to Telangana people. Rest of them shows a varying degree of fidelity to Telangana cause, depending on the developments in Delhi. They indulge in the empty rhetoric that, they are prepared to do anything for Telangana. But, they do precious little, certainly not enough for their patronizing attitude.
But, as a group the C-MP’s are in the focus, keeping alive the issue in parliament. Yet, they were not able to achieve anything tangible on the matter. Probably their stock with the ‘adhishtanam’ is not high enough to show any desired result. They are also keeping a lot of faith in Sonia Gandhi, the silent ‘madonna’.They want to believe the false assurances of ‘Coterie’ time and again and are willing to go along their ever changing schedule of the elusive decision on Telangana. Perhaps they are game for these kinds of subterfuges till 2014.To prove it wrong and to show that they are committed for Telangana irrevocably, they have to act decisively against their ‘adhishtanam’.
MLAs & MLCs:
This group is big and very important. Yet, the response from this group to Telangana state is very lackadaisical. All of them look towards adhishtanam. Adhishtanam is the ‘Mecca’ for them. Sonia Gandhi is their shepherd and they are her sheep. A few of them keep the rhetoric of Telangana alive intermittently here and there. Likes of Damodar Reddy, Rajiah, Jeevan Reddy, the MLAs; Yadava Reddy, Bhanu Prasad, Kamalakar Rao MLCs; blow hot and cold as per the exigency. Now a days they seem to have exhausted their ammunition and cooling their heels at home, looking towards Delhi for deliverance. The behavior of this group is the testimony for the systematic political emasculation of Telangana congress by andhra congress and adhishtanam since merger and they are now using it to the hilt. Their acting against their adhishtanam full 3 years before elections is a moot point. Generally it will not happen; unless an extra ordinary political situation develops, forcing them to act. They are like their ministerial colleagues pushing themselves in to ‘do or die’ mode. This group is the biggest millstone around the neck of Telangana.
T’TDP:
MPs:
The lone MP from T-TDP Nama is an andhra in the guise of a telanganite. He is part of the andhra ‘money mafia’, exploiting Telangana. There is no Telangana state agenda in his mind. He is the camp follower of CBN and a votary of samaikyandhra to the core.
MLAs & MLCS:
This group of T-TDP is quite large and is important in the reckoning of Telangana. Some perverse political turmoil is taking place in this group. CBN like a ring master in a circus making this group of ‘biped hounds’ play to his macabre political gamesmanship. He has unleashed these hounds on Telangana people to intimidate them with his perfidious ‘two eyed theory’. He will know what will be the consequence of this most bizarre political skullduggery in future. Mean while, fortunately some of the group understood the game plan of CBN and there was a cleavage in the monolithic group.
Pocharam is the first, who in a right royal way left TDP and plumped for Telangana, with all his heart. He is an excellent example of value based politics in this present day murky political atmosphere.Nagam, Hareeshwar and Ramanna have raised the banner of revolt against CBN, in favor of Telangana. Venugopalachary and a few others may follow suit in the coming days.
Yet, CBN continues his mad cap politics. He is encouraging his T-TDP hounds to go after these rebels with money and muscle support. The andhra govt. is also providing police support in an unlimited way wherever required.CBN has resorted to ‘Goondagiri’ on lawyers, students, people of Telangana many a times. Showing chappal to telanganavadulu at Karimnagar and beating a student with chappal in Mahanadu are the heights of CBN’s vicious politics. These incidents will be acting like stings of a scorpion on the conscience of telalangana people.CBN and his cohorts will have to pay a price for this. The antics of the CBN’s hounds would be of interest to watch in the coming days. The majority of T-TDP group is likely to remain with this incorrigible CBN and try to create confusion in the minds of the people. Though the group by itself is not germane to the formation of Telangana state, its allegiance to the infamous ‘two eyed theory’ will be used by Congress in the procrastination.
While Sonia Gandhi and CBN are the architects of the Telangana logjam, our own T-congress and T-TDP legislators are the traitors, who built the logjam. Telangana people should target these traitors to break the logjam. Let us not dither any more on it. Let’s do it, to bring our traitors on to their knees.
Thanks Janardhan Janumpalli for sharing
Related posts:

Jun 3, 2011 9:54 AM

Rajanarasimha is the Deputy CM

by admin

C. Damodar Rajanarasimha, Minister for Higher Education, has been officially sounded out to be the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in a chain of political developments triggered by the sudden decision of the government to convene a brief session of the Assembly and Council on June 4. The 52-year-old Dalit leader represents Andole Assembly constituency in Medak district of Telangana.
As expected, the Congress leadership has also decided to elevate Deputy Speaker Nadendla Manohar as Speaker of the Assembly, a post lying vacant since Kiran Kumar Reddy became Chief Minister in November last. Mr. Manohar tendered his resignation as Deputy Speaker on Thursday evening to pave the way for the Congress MLAs to propose his name for the Speakership.
Mr. Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, presently Government Chief Whip, is likely to step into Mr. Manohar’s shoes as he has been summoned to the State capital from Kakinada. In the Council, A. Chakrapani is tipped for a second term as Chairman although there is no clarity yet on who will be his deputy as the Congress leadership is undecided between Mohd. Jani and S. Jagadishwar Reddy.
Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan has appointed senior Congress member J.C. Diwakar Reddy as pro tem Speaker, who will have the onerous responsibility of conducting the Speaker’s election. The Assembly has been convened to meet at 11 a.m. and the Council at 4 p.m., both on Saturday.
Immediately seizing the opportunity, a TDP delegation led by E. Dayakar Rao and Tummala Nageswara Rao submitted a notice of no-confidence motion to the Legislature Secretary S. Rajasadaram with the request for extending the House beyond the two days proposed by the government to facilitate a thorough debate on the government’s failures, particularly on the farmers’ front.
Related posts:

Jun 3, 2011 8:58 AM

No need for all-party meet on Telangana

by admin

TRS MLA T Harish Rao said that if the Congress-led UPA government was not ready to deliver Telangana state, the Congress party may lose its political base in the region and people would intensify the movement to achieve their target.
In reaction to the Union Home minister P Chidambaram’s statement that the Centre would call for an all-party meeting again on Telangana, Harish Rao said that there was no need for it as all the parties had already expressed their stand and it was now time for the Centre to make a decision. He said that Congress MPs should also take a decision with sincerity and simply extending deadlines would not help the future of the party.
TRS MLA and party leader E Rajendar was of the opinion that a lack of decision on part of the UPA government would strengthen BJP in the region. This was evident from the success of the public meeting held by BJP leader Sushma Swaraj at Karimnagar on Tuesday, he said. “BJP has credibility among the masses as it was the BJP-led NDA government that formed three new states,” he said.
Related posts:

Jun 3, 2011 8:58 AM

TDP to move no trust motion against Congress government

by admin

The principal opposition party TDP has announced its plans to move a no-confidence motion against the Congress government, which is already grappling with the contentious Telangana statehood demand and dissidence.
As the budget session resumes on June 4, the TDP led by its chief N Chandrababu Naidu will move a no-confidence motion against the Kiran Kumar Reddy government on problems faced by farmers in the state.
Though the TDP does not have enough numbers to pull down the Congress government, its objective in moving the no-trust motion appears to be part of its strategy to regain the lost ground, particularly in the wake of the Telangana statehood struggle, and also “expose” YSR Congress president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, political observers feel.
Parties like TRS and BJP have made it clear that they would support a no-confidence motion against the government brought by anyone.
With its own strength of 90 MLAs, the TDP can muster support of 11 TRS, four CPI, two BJP and one CPM taking the total to 111 in the 294-member assembly.
The Congress, on the other hand, has a strength of 154 MLAs of its own and can count on the support of 17 Praja Rajyam and seven Majlis legislators besides three “associate” members.
The lone Lok Satta MLA is expected to remain neutral. The YSR Congress officially has only one MLA in the AP assembly though about a dozen Congress, two TDP MLA and one of PRP are backing him in violation of their respective parties.
Source : TOI
Related posts:

Jun 2, 2011 9:29 AM

BJP’s fortunes revived with its support for Telangana

by admin

With a massive public meeting in support of the formation of a Telangana state, the marginalised Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has managed to claw its way onto the centre stage. The meeting proved a grand success as the attendance exceeded the expectations of the party leaders. While BJP leaders had said they expect 25,0000-30,000 people, the number of people who attended the meeting is estimated at more than 50,000 with thousands of people who could not enter the stadium lingered outside it.
The ‘Telangana Poru’ meeting addressed by Sushma Swaraj, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, was an impressive show of strength by the party whose fortunes in the state have been waning for a long time.
Swaraj not only succeeded in sending a message to the Telangana masses that her party was clear in its stand that the Telangana state should have been formed by now; she also managed to put the Congress and other parties on the defensive.
Swaraj demanded that the Congress-led central government table a Telangana state bill in the coming session of Parliament.
“The NDA will extend full support to ensure the passage of the bill. Otherwise the BJP will form the Telangana state after it returns to power in 2014,” she declared. “This will be the first act of the BJP after it comes to power.”
A huge number of people from different districts of Telangana gathered in Ambedkar Stadium to listen to Swaraj and other BJP state leaders.
The senior BJP leader also targeted the Congress party for its “repeated betrayal” of the people of Telangana and said that the Srikrishna committee report was another example of this.
She criticised the panel for making “secret” the eighth chapter of its report and said that this was the first time that a panel has made recommendations against the very cause for which it was set up.
She criticised the secret chapter for allegedly claiming that Maoists and the BJP would dominate the newly-formed Telangana state. She also ridiculed TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu’s statement that he will give a letter of support for Telangana only after the central government announces the state’s formation.
Related posts:

Jun 2, 2011 9:29 AM

Governor accepts Jupalli’s resignation

by admin

Governor E S L Narasimhan today accepted the resignation of State Endowments Minister Jupalli Krishna Rao, who quit over the Telangana issue.”On the advice of the Chief Minister, the Governor has been pleased to accept the resignation of Jupalli Krishna Rao with effect from June 1,” a press communique from the Raj Bhavan said. Rao met the Governor yesterday and submitted his resignation.
In fact, Jupalli had forwarded a letter to party President Sonia Gandhi in March, saying he would step down as Minister if Telangana state was not created.Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister called on the Governor in the Raj Bhavan. Officials described the meeting as a “routine courtesy call” but indicated that Jupalli’s resignation issue came up for discussion.Information Technology Minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah, currently on an official trip to Israel, has been handed over additional charge of Endowments Department till alternative arrangements are made.
Related posts:

Jun 1, 2011 10:31 PM

TRS will vote against Congress if no-trust motion moved

by admin

Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) said it would vote against it if a no-confidence is moved on the floor of Assembly.”Not just Jagan, whoever comes forward, we will vote against the government,” TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao’s son and party MLA K T Rama Rao told reporters.
The Congress government, led by N Kiran Kumar Reddy, has lost the confidence of Telangana people, he said while replying to a query on the war of words between Kadapa MP Jaganmohan Reddy and TDP. Reddy had said that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the major opposition party in the state, was not moving a no-confidence motion against the Congress government following a clandestine understanding between the two. TDP said in its reply that it was prepared to move a no-trust motion against the Reddy government on farmers’ issues if Jagan paraded the MLAs loyal to him before Andhra Pradesh Governor, if he wanted to dethrone the government.
Rama Rao today submitted three letters to Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy regarding the delinking of upper Manair project from Pranahita-Chevella irrigation project, problems of weavers in his assembly constituency of Sircilla and a loan waiver for the cooperative societies of weavers.
Related posts:

Jun 1, 2011 10:31 PM

Telangana hots up

by admin

With the resignation of Endowment Minister Jupally Krishna Rao in Congress and three MLAs coming out openly in support of Janardhan Reddy in TDP, the Telangana issue has come to the center stage again and its time for creation of the separate state, feel many.
Krishna Rao has submitted his resignation to the governor ESL Narasimhan. Later he told the media that he had sent his resignation from the cabinet to the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on March 3 but he did not accept it. “Now I have decided to directly submit it to the governor”, he said.
Krishna Rao, who belongs to Mehbubnagar district of Telangana, took the step just a day before he was to resume his Padyatra in the district to press the demand for Telangana state. He had to adjourn his Padyatra on May 23 after it was opposed by another minister from the same district D K Aruna saying Kirshna Rao had not consulted her.
Krishna Rao’s resignation letter to the governor is also being seen as a fall out of the government’s failure in granting permission to his Padyatra. The minister has already created a stir in the Congress party as his Padyatra has got the support of several Congress MPs from Telangana region. At least one minister from the region K Venkat Reddy has also come out with his support.
The developments have come close on the heel of the Congress MPs threatening to resign from the Parliament if the central government does not take a positive decision on Telangana issue in the month of June.
TROUBLE IN TDP
Meanwhile, Telugu Desam party is also having its own share of trouble on Telangana issue suspended party leader Nagam Janardhan Reddy today got a shot in the arm with three MLAs coming out openly in his support.
Janardhan Reddy, who was most vocal supporter of Telangana in the party was suspended from TDP last week. Three MLAs K Harishwar Reddy, Jogu Ramanna and Venugopala Chary were among the party leaders who attended a meeting today convened by Janardhan Reddy. The meeting discussed the proposed meeting of Nagam Janardhan Reddy in Adilabad district.
On the other hand the Telugu Desam Telangana Forum, comprising of the supporters of TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu also demanded the central government to immediately announce the formation of Telangana state. Forum convenor and MLA E Dayakar Rao and other legislators told the media in Hyderabad today the entire confusion was arising because of the double talk by the Congress party and central government.
Related posts:

Jun 1, 2011 9:30 PM

Will Jaipal Reddy quit Cabinet for T ?

by admin

Caught between a rock and a hard place, petroleum minister Jaipal Reddy is mulling quitting the Manmohan Singh cabinet. Though an agonisingly slow decision- maker, Jaipal is expected to take a call in the next few days and it might possibly be to make an exit.
Jaipal has already announced that he would not contest the 2014 polls. “His mission now is to ensure that Telangana happens before the next elections. Only an extreme step like quitting the cabinet and plunging into state politics can help achieve that,” the sources said. Jaipal’s new zeal for Telangana is surprising to many because publicly he has hitherto maintained a pro-united state stance.
Other factors too are said to have prompted Jaipal to take the decision. “The fast changing scenario in the state including the floating of new political party YSR Congress by Jaganmohan Reddy and his desire to enter Telangana is also acting as a contributory factor,” said the sources. They claimed that senior leaders and close aides like panchayat raj minister K Jana Reddy, PCC chief D Srinivas, Rajya Sabha member K Keshava Rao and a few other MPs convinced him to take the plunge in state politics and force the Centre’s hand on the T issue. Jaipal has been desirous of becoming CM of the state for long but he has not been able to make his claim decisively. Developments in New Delhi too could have prompted him to take the extreme step, said the sources. “Although he was sent to the powerful petroleum ministry, Jaipal was not consulted over the recent hike in petrol prices. He had fiercely opposed the hike soon after the assembly elections,” said an aide.
Related posts:

Jun 1, 2011 9:30 PM

Time for Telangana

by vishnupvvr

It is time for the Congress to take the plunge and carve the state of Telangana out of Andhra Pradesh. There are many reasons to do so, not least the fact that historically, state boundaries get drawn and redrawn many times. When it became a republic, India was composed of 14 states. Now, at 28, it has double the number. Many states like Andhra Pradesh itself, were carved out of bigger entities after linguistic or ethnic movements. The three newest states, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand, were created as recently as 2000. State boundaries are not carved in stone, but need to adjust to local needs and politics. The argument for Telangana is simple: the region’s people want out and a new state of their own. Statehood might give the backward region a chance to run things better. Indeed, there is evidence to show that smaller states carved out of bigger ones tend to do better than their parent states: in 2008-09, the average person in Jharkhand was 50% better off than the average Bihari, the average Chhattisgarh resident was 54% better off than someone in Madhya Pradesh and income per head in Uttarakhand was 95% more than that in Uttar Pradesh. Why should we doubt that Telangana, home to much forest and mineral wealth, could take off on a similar trajectory after becoming a state?
Most of the reasons for the Congress’ chicken-hearted dither over Telangana do not exist any more. Its powerful chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy , an opponent of the idea of Telangana, is no more. Son Jaganmohan is a rebel who has just beaten the Congress in recent bypolls. The main opposition party, the TDP , oscillates opportunistically between pro- and anti-Telangana postures.
The current administration headed by Kiran Reddy has no platform. Creating Telangana will win the Congress many hearts and votes in the region, and stem the losses in Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra. It will also create the opportunity to create a new capital, with all the new spending and infrastructure that’s required, away from Hyderabad. There is precious little to lose – and much to gain, from creating Telangana state. Get on with it.

As published in The Economic Times
Related posts:

May 28, 2011 10:53 AM

Deputy CM from Telangana, PCC Chief from Andhra

by admin

The Congress high command has come to a decision to appoint a leader from Telangana as Deputy Chief Minister and higher education minister Damodar Rajanarasimha is considered to be the party’s hot favourite for the post. The party has also decided to appoint someone from Andhra as PCC president and is examining who, between two front runners housing minister Kanna Lakshminarayana and transport minister Botsa Satyanaryana, fits the bill better.
The announcement on appointment of the new PCC chief is likely to be made in the next four to five days.
Though chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy reportedly wanted the PCC president to be from Telangana, the central leadership appears to have the interests of the party in coastal Andhra uppermost in its mind in the wake of the humiliating defeat YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had inflicted on the Congress in the by-elections and his efforts to emerge as a major threat to the Congress in Andhra and Rayalaseema.
In the meanwhile, Telangana MPs, who appeared to have been rattled by the violence in Karimnagar on Wednesday, are veering to the conclusion that they should do something dramatic or they will be forced to go into political exile.
They are planning to go on an indefinite hunger strike after June 15. If the party does not respond positively even then, they will resign as a last resort.
Related posts:

May 28, 2011 10:53 AM

తెలగాణ రణ రధం

by Sudheendra

తెలగాణ రణ రధం
———————
కదిలింది కదిలింది తెలగాణ రణ రథం
ప్రత్యేక రాష్ట్ర పోరు పథం !! కది !!
సిధాంతకర్త ‘జయ శంకర’ భీష్మ పిత
తెలగాణ ‘జాతి పిత’ అయి ఆశీర్వదించగా …
ప్రచండ భాస్కరుడు ‘చంద్రశేఖరుడు’ తోడు రాగ
కొండంత అండ ‘కోదండ రాము’ సారధి ఆయె !! కది !!
తెలగాణ కురుక్షేత్ర వీర పుత్రులు ‘తారక’ ‘హరీషు’లు అశ్వముల కాగా ..
ఉద్యోగ JAC జండా పై కపిరాజు ఆయె.
వీర విధ్యార్ది JAC వీరాత్వం అలుమగా …
ఘర్జించిన గద్డరన్న గాండీవం మాయే !! కది !!
దాశరథి కవితా జోరు వారసుడు మన ‘దేశపతి’
కాళోజీ కాలానికి పునర్జన్మ మన ‘అంధేశ్రీ’
బడుగు ప్రజా నాడి ప్రతి ధ్వని మన ‘నందిని’
కవులందరు చేరి రణ శంఖము పూరించగా !! కది !!
బళ్ళెం అయి దిగదా ‘అల్లం’ రాసిన వ్యాసం
దివిటిగా మారి దారి చుపదా ‘లక్ష్మయ్య’ వాఖ్యానం
గణ గణ గంటల ఘర్జన ల మోత ‘గంటా’ చెక్రాపాణి గళం
జన నాడి జాడ ఎరిగి నగారా మోగించిన ‘నాగం’
పోరు పాట చురకత్తులు ‘రసమయీ’ ‘విమలక్క’లు
రాటు దేలిన పాటల తూటాలు మన రమా కిశోర్ లు…
సంస్కృతి కాపాడ యువత వెన్ను తట్టి లేపె మన జాగృతి ‘కవిత’ !! కది !!
కవులు కళా కారులందరు కాకలు తీరిన వీరులు
మలి దశ ఉద్యమాన మడిమలు తిప్పని యోధులు
లేరా వీరందరు మనకు..కారా ప్రత్యేక రాష్ట్ర సాధన ధీరులు
కదిలింది తెలంగాణా ర ణ రధం
ప్రత్యేక రాష్ట్ర పోరు పథం !!
—- సుధీంద్ర భార్గవ
Related posts:

May 27, 2011 10:56 AM

TRS, YSR Congress woo Nagam

by admin

After being suspended Tuesday from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the party’s politburo member and senior leader Nagam Janardhan Reddy is mulling his future action as opposition parties are wooing him.
Nagam began consultations with his colleagues and followers Thursday as Telanga Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and YSR Congress party initiated efforts to woo him to their ranks. But the former minister is keeping his cards close to his chest.
With the TDP also planning to urge assembly Deputy Speaker N. Manohar to disqualify Nagam as legislator, the senior leader from Mahabubnagar district is contemplating to quit the assembly.
Two TDP legislators from the Telangana region, Harishwar Reddy and Jogi Ramna, have already thrown their weight behind Nagam. Harishwar has even claimed that 25-30 legislators would join hands with them.
Nagam, who served as minister for 12 years in the Andhra Pradesh cabinets led by the late N.T. Rama Rao and Chandrababu Naidu, told reporters that he would decide on his future action after consultations with other like-minded leaders and followers.
At its emergency meeting Tuesday night, the TDP politburo suspended Nagam for what it called anti-party activities.
For the last few days, the senior leader had been targeting party president Chandrababu Naidu for his “u-turn” on the demand for separate Telangana state. He even organised two public meetings without party flag.
“I only want Mr. Naidu to abide by the stand taken by the party before last elections,” said Nagam.
Continuing his tirade against Naidu, he said by suspending him Naidu had proved himself a leader of seemandhra (Rayalaseema and Andhra regions).
He said if Naidu goes on suspending leaders for raising the demand for Telangana, the party would have no future in Telangana.
Meanwhile, TRS leader Jitender Reddy called on Nagam and reportedly requested him to join the party. YSR Congress party leader Gone Prakash Rao also called on the suspended TDP leader to join the newly-floated outfit.
News making rounds is that Nagam has been offered the post of working president in the TRS party.
Related posts:

May 26, 2011 11:13 AM

Is it Ranabheri or Goonda Bheri?

by admin

Telangana Telugu Desam Forum’s Ranabheri in Karimnagar, its maiden public meeting for Telangana cause, was marred by large scale violence on Wednesday.
In the evening, amidst tight security, the TDP organised the public meeting where the speakers targeted TRS leaders and TDP rebel Nagam Janardhan Reddy.
Telangana activists demanded that Chandrababu Naidu spell out his stand on Telangana issue without beating around the bush with his two-eyed policy and that he should send a letter to the Centre that the TDP was committed to the Telangana cause.
TDP Telangana leader Revanth Reddy was seen carrying a rifle to the meeting.
The fact that the people from Andhra region settled in Hyderabad were mobilised for the public meeting and several goondas from Seemandhra region were summoned to provide protection to TDP leaders, has added fuel to the fire.

May 26, 2011 11:13 AM

Nagam suspended. Says babu did not allow him to fight for T.

by admin

The TDP Politburo, which met at party president N Chandrababu Naidu’s residence soon after the conclusion of party’s Ranabheri in Karimnagar on Wednesday, endorsed the recommendation of the Telangana Telugu Desam Forum (TTDF) made three days ago that the Nagarkurnool legislator be suspended.
It is for the first time in the TDP that a Politburo member was suspended without being served a show-cause notice. Janardhan Reddy was a minister for 12 years in the cabinets of NTR and Chandrababu.
After the end of the meeting, TDP Politburo member P Chandrasekhar said action was taken against Nagam for making uncharitable comments not only on Chandrababu, but also on the TDP leadership. The Politburo did not mention the period of his suspension.
In the mean while, Nagam Janardhan Reddy suspected implementation of the contents in the Eighth Chapter of Srikrishna Committee report by both the Congress and TDP. “Why should Seemandhra people from Hyderabad be mobilised for Karimnagar Ranabheri if the meeting is meant for Telangana cause? I am ready to resign my MLA post. A decision will be taken in a day or two after consulting the people of my Nagarkurnool constituency. In reality, TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu did not give me enough freedom to fight for the Telangana cause,” he said.
Talking to newsmen at the TDLP office earlier in the day, he urged Babu to rein in Telangana Telugu Desam Forum (TTDF) members from resorting to violence at Ranabheri as some members went to the meeting with their licensed firearms.
Related posts:

May 24, 2011 12:11 PM

Stage set for suspension of Nagam

by admin

The stage is set for action against Nagam Janardhan Reddy before TDP’s Mahanadu, with the Telangana Telugu Desam Forum adopting a unanimous resolution seeking his suspension accusing him of resorting to anti-party activities.
Addressing a press conference after a meeting of the Forum, its convenor, E. Dayakar Rao, said the resolution would be sent to party president N. Chandrababu Naidu. Accusing Dr. Janardhan Reddy of working as an “agent and covert” of YSR Congress president Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, he said by his actions, he was damaging the interests of the party and Telangana.
The Forum’s resolution could deepen the crisis within the party as Dr. Janardhan Reddy enjoyed the support of four MLAs. One of them, Parigi MLA K. Harishwar Reddy, earlier in the day, warned that there would be serious consequences if the leadership proceeded against Dr. Janardhan Reddy.
Mr. Harishwar Reddy shot off an open letter to the Forum questioning its authority to take or demand action against Dr. Janardhan Reddy. He wanted the Forum to clarify if its meetings were meant for taking such “dubious decisions” against senior party colleagues or chalking out programmes for achieving separate Telangana.
He wondered how action could be taken against Dr. Janardhan Reddy when the leadership did nothing after Mr. Dayakar Rao campaigned without carrying the party flag during the by-elections. No action was taken either against Andhra/Rayalseema MLAs who resigned in protest after Mr. Chidambaram’s announcement of Telangana on December 9, took out a ‘bus yatra’ in their region, and held placards in the Assembly in the budget session. Another supporter, Adilabad MLA, Jogu Ramulu said Dr. Janardhan Reddy continued to be his leader.

SEE TELANGANA

My Links

Telugu Updates

Wednesday 20 July 2011

FULL TEXT OF SKC'S 8TH CHAPTER

Full text of SKC’s 8th Chapter

Manmohan promises to take up Telangana issue with Core committee

The biggest and most intense agitation ahead

Pranab calls for Telangana meet on June 15th

We will bow our head before High Command’s decision on T : Botsa

Telangana is not an easy issue to solve : Azad

Charlotte Telangana Association – Khelo Telangana 2011 Picnic

Telangana movement gets a newspaper to advocate its cause

Panel to Study Employment for Telanganites

Wither T’Traitors!

Rajanarasimha is the Deputy CM

No need for all-party meet on Telangana

TDP to move no trust motion against Congress government

BJP’s fortunes revived with its support for Telangana

Governor accepts Jupalli’s resignation

TRS will vote against Congress if no-trust motion moved

Telangana hots up

Will Jaipal Reddy quit Cabinet for T ?

Time for Telangana

Deputy CM from Telangana, PCC Chief from Andhra

తెలగాణ రణ రధం

TRS, YSR Congress woo Nagam

Is it Ranabheri or Goonda Bheri?

Nagam suspended. Says babu did not allow him to fight for T.

Stage set for suspension of Nagam

No comments:

Post a Comment

Chitika Ads