Twists and Turns in Telangana Troupes

What is happening in Andhra Pradesh?

Are we going to see another state??

Why the Congress is still silent on Telangana?

Why 14F is again into controversies?

Let’s try to understand the political situation in Andhra from November 2009.

THE FREEZONE  

All political parties in Andhrapradessh have already accepted to remove 14F clause from the presidential order which makes Hyderabad as fee zone for police recruitments. The state assembly has also passed a unanimous resolution to remove this clause.  But the issue is pending in Home Ministers office since March 10, 2010.

After massive protests against free zone and formation of a separate state of Telangana the central government promised on December 09, 2009 to initiate process to form a separate state after consulting all political parties in Andhra.

The political situation completely changed after the central government decision and state vertically divided on the Telangana issue. Those who are against the formation of Telangana have also started a progressive movement by involving students, employees and politicians. Joint Action committees formed in each and every sections of the society. The situation among the two regions worsened and central government installed Sri Krishna committee to find the solution. Committee gave report to the central government after consulting all sections in Andhrapradesh and suggested 6 solutions.

This is a well known history but what worries is the present day political scenario in Andhra Pradesh. The Telangana leadership of both the parties went against their party high command and submitted resignations to the respective speakers in Loksabha and in the state assembly to increase pressure. But the central government dint respond to them. Why congress party is not considering their own MLA s and MP’s decision?? MP’s continuously absconding parliament sessions and organizing meetings with in them in Delhi and Hyderabad. Why party leadership is failing to find a solution??? These are the questions to be answered by the congress party. 

POLITICAL PARTIES IN RACE TAKE OVER THE CREDIT  

This strategic move of the Telangana leadership clearly shows their political motives get benefits over the issue, T congress and T TDP leadership trying to take over the Telangana Brand from Mr. K chandrashekhar rao, president of Telangana rastasamiti.

KesavaRao who leading the T congress team said, “We will try the best way possible to get acceptance for the resignations”. Kadiam srihari from TDP said “we have great concern for our people in Telangana, it is our biggest responsibility to fullfil their desire to form a separate state “.The other political parties including communist parties still differ on the separate state formation.

Leaders from the Andhra region who are against the formation of the separate state blame central government for keeping this issue in pending.

JAGAN SILENT ON TELANGANA

The newly born YSR congress party seems to have no strategy. One big reason could be its less popularity in Telangana region but some close associates of Mr. Jagan says they are waiting for a right time to take up this sentiment. Sushma swaraj speech in parliament got appreciation from all the sections and gave boos to the BJp cadre in the state.

NO INVESTMENTS IN HYDERBAD- SECIRUTY IS A MAJOR ISSUE

Major development works and projects in the state are in pending and some business houses film shooting spots were attacked by some of the protesters. Police are worried about the security situation in the state because of massive gatherings busy areas. Police commissioner AK khan said ‘’anti social elements may make use of the situation ‘’

Keeping the uncertainty among political parties in both regions the movement has developed allots of students and working community groups across the state. All political parties are following the decisions taken by those associations. Srikrishna committees report some way accelerated the separate state formation protests and united all working class with students and political communities.

ESMA TO SHOCK EMPLOYEES

The recent joint action committee’s decision to initiate universal bundh on 17^th August has put the government in serious trouble. The government issued ESMA (Essential Service Maintenance Act) as a precautionary to control government official’s involvement in the protests and brought some crucial departments like Health care, treasury and secretariat under ESMA. Paramilitary forces are also deployed in the state to observe the situation and to act when required.

NO DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES IN STATE

The situation in the sate worries one who observes the situation in the last 18 months because the other major issues in the state were kept aside. Political parties are busy in trying sympathetic towards Telangana but neglecting other development activities. The recent financial report on Hyderabad clearly showed how the state capital lost investments. Hyderabad used to contribute 15% of revenue to state which decreased to 11 % in last one year. Many multinational companies are moving to Benguluru or pune. The Telangana state will lose more if this situation continues further.

“Central’s formula of unanimous opinion on formation of separate has clearly failed as the parties dived on this issue and it is always uncertain in a democracy to get a unanimous opinion. It is a known fact that Formation of separate state is under central government control then why is government waiting for the individual parties opinions. The consultation process is in progress from 1969 there was never a unanimous opinion on this issue. The government should consider the majority peoples opinion. And should promise safe, security to the other region people if it decides to form a state’’ Said senior political observer.

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION

First the presidential order 14 F should be solved and Hyderabad should be declared as free-zone .Central government should put this issue in the parliament and discuss. Government should assure infrastructural and financial support to Andhra region people in case of division. Business houses in Hyderabad should be assured security. They must take the decision as early as possible as the state lost more in last year.

A journalist view: THE FASTING BRIGADE

A journalist view: THE FASTING BRIGADE: BHARAT IN RAMAYAN
Hunger strikes are quite familiar to the world. This has been a best practice by national leaders and social ...

THE FASTING BRIGADE

BHARAT IN RAMAYAN 

Hunger strikes are quite familiar to the world. This has been a best practice by national leaders and social activists to protest against their governments. Hunger strikes have roots in ancient Hindu mythology from Ramayana. Bharat went on a fast to get Sri Ram back to Ajodhya. Fasting had shown greatest impact several times in Indian freedom struggle. Gandhi used it several times to put pressures on the British government. In 1924 Gandhi went on fast considering the penance of the Hindu Muslim violence continued for 21 days.

After independence the same trend was adopted in south India by Sri Potti Sriramulu against the congress government fast on 19 October 1952 at Chennai to form a separate Telugu speaking state. Sriramulu continued his fast until he died on 15 December 1952. 

 This lead to the formation of language based states in India. The same scenario repeated in 20089 by telangana rastra samiti head Chandrasekhar rao to form a separate state of telangana. He went on fast for 11 days and the government agreed to form a separate state of telangana but the    formation is still pending at central and state levels and is pending at consultations.

Thileepan on 15 September 1987 at 9.30 a.m at the Nallur Murugan Temple, Thileepan began his fast. His main objective was to bring awareness and action to a list of public demands made by himself and the Tamil Tigers, considered to be a terrorist group.

IROM SHARMILA

In the northeast part of India Irom sharmila The 'Iron Lady of Manipur' has been on hunger strike from November 2000 demanding the Indian government to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

Swami Nigamanand went on a fast unto death to protest against illegal mining on the bank of the Ganga in Haridwar. He started his fast on February 19 from Haridwar.and died after 115 days of continuous fast. His cause and hunger strike was quite and far from the 24/7 media. 

ANNA HAZARE

Anna Hazare fasted for about 12 days against corruption in forest management in Maharashtra which put pressures on the government to take action against 42 officers.

Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev's recent fasts are well known to all Indians as they have got prime time media attention at all levels. It’s been 12 days Mr. Hazare fasting for janlokapal.

There has been a humongous criticism over hunger strikes, some say its arrogance and some say it is blackmailing tactics but many times this method convinced or compromised the governments to give assurances and many times issues which have seen hunger strikes are still on their way for solutions.

KERALA POLLS - SURVEY

      There is only one day left before elections, this time all the politicians are busy in calculating their vote share in every constituency.Tomorrow is the last day of campaign for elections 2011 in Kerala Both UDF LDF and BJP deployed their topmost leaders to address  Keralites.

        We felt this is the best time to know the pulse of people before the Election Day as they listened to almost all the alliances promises. We have selected different sections of people from various fields in The TEMPLE CITY Trivandrum for the final survey. There were some surprising elements in the survey and some were as predicted before elections.

Bapu Joe an auto union leader near Trivandrum Trivandrum central station surprises in response to the questions, says “We want to see BJP ruling this time because we have seen both UDF and LDF no one was in favorable to the common man. One makes decisions in their ruling and other will not continue the earlier schemes. He adds a small compliment to UDF government in 2001 but expressed anger on the way petrol and food grains prices were raised in their ruling in centre, Blames both the governments for misusing their power for self contributions and neglecting farmers and weaker sections of society.”  

  Mr. Roy Josef a government teacher explained the exact situation of the keralian politics and the ways how the poll strategies have been changing in past few years. He said “The Middle class women’s vote will be a crucial element in this forth coming election.These votes were gone in favor of UDF in last panchayath elections but we cannot expect the same situation this time.Kerala people  looks for change in government .

LDF has a large section of older generation voters but it cannot attract the youth because of its traditional anti development concepts. Common man is not atoll concerned about the free bees offered by political parties, he expects a secured life in a qualified administration. He expresses administration failure is a major problem in Kerala and adds no politic al party has been successful in making it.”                             .

Anirudh Sharma a Nambudri Brahmin appreciated some projects initiated by both the fronts but expressed disappointment with the way parties neglect their election promises. He also added no political alliance in Kerala is pure , we all know that if the election commission provides a facility for negative votes no party will come into power. We need committed politicians who are well literate and understand the middle class and the poor class.

Sajid and menon a working employees in KSRTC wish to see UDF in power. They believe that if state government alliance and central government alliance are same the national level schemes will be well implemented in the state.  They are expecting a 37% improvement in basic salary as they feel that their current package is not worthy for their normal livelihood.                                                   

 When we asked why u people never give chance to the earlier government he   says ‘’ we have no other option like third front here, if we would have anything like that we will definitely vote for that''

AMAN , SHARAT and ansaaf three mechanical engineering students says while answering the questions’’ whatever may be the government and who ever may be the chief minister we want secured Kerala, we want Industries , we want TECH Cities near KOCHI and Trivandrum. We wish to see better roadways in Kerala. “ 

Sesha chalam a junior lawyer of 26 yrs of age wish to see LDF in power and suggests LDf to change in some of its traditional methodologies of governance. He says” the political parties should change according to generation; we need fresh and young politicians who actually see politics in different perspective’’. After interviewing almost fifty plus people from different parts ion Trivandrum we concluded our survey.

 MAIN DEREVATIVES FROM THE SURVEY

•     UDF have immense scope to sweep this election.
•       People are frustrated with political parties throwing stones on each other.
•       BJP vote division may change bring dramatic change in some constituencies.
•       Voters expecting a well established administrative system in the power.
•       Middle class women vote plays key role in this election.
•       NRI vote may or may not affect the polls
•       Price hikes, tourism and industrial development are major expectations.
•       Free bees have no effect on voters.
•       Money and liquor have very less impact in Kerala polls compared to the polls in other states.
•     Many of them expressed unhappiness on media leaning towards some political parties

                                                                                                      Rajkamal vuppu

KERALA POLLS- POLITICAL CARNIVALS IN KERALA

Just four days before the election the Kerala voters are witnessing a bunch of national leaders from various parties, Prime Minister Manmohan, Rahul Gandhi and BJP Leader LK Advani campaigning for their parties in Kerala, Political parties throwing stones on each other on various issues in public meetings. 

Manmohan Singh addressing a public meeting in Kottayam says ‘’ LDF has shown an ineffective governance in its rule, it has failed to bring the UPA’s welfare schemes to the common man  and says LDF failed to recognize the fundamentals of development in Kerala’’ Prime Minister called upon the people  not to allow the Left to damage their interests further.

Singh brought several development schemes implemented by UPA like (JNNURM) Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. He said UPA has always believed in Industrial development and voting for UDF will assure the implementation of all the schemes taken by UPA in centre and will assure stabilized growth in Kerala like in other states where congress is in ruling.

 Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi’s tour in chchalakudy, gathered many youth congress and NSUI leaders to the meeting point. Rahul was warmly welcomed by the local politicians.Rahul was all praise for the people of Kerala in his speech, he says” The spirit of Kerala has built the cities of Middle East, without their sweat Dubai could not have been built. The CPI (M) has stopped the spirit that created such wonders”.

He spoke about many schemes implemented by UPA and added mere industrialization can built a nation strong only when it revenue is spent in health care  education and youth training programs.

In a meeting in tiruvanatapuram Advani addressed BJP cadre and in a public meeting he threw stones on UPA’s failure in eradicating corruption. Said BJP is putting its all efforts to bring the black money back to India and he added BJP is in all sink with ANNA HAZARE’s demands regarding Jan lokpal Bill and Shown GUJARAT as a token of development done by BJP and Kerala will also witness such development if BJP comes into power.

Even though strong leaders from centre addressing rallies in Kerala a very few people seems to be paying attention to the promises made the politicians. Election commission has issued a public notice to not to telecast any recorded videos and advertisements in television after 5pm on Monday.

Tomorrow we will be doing a survey in Trivandrum on various schemes promised by parties in election and will bring in the views of all the sections of society on current political trends in Kerala.

  

                                                                                                  Rajkamal Vuppu 

KERALA POLLS - STUDIO EXPERIENCE

My second day in Trivandrum gave me great opportunities to meet elite people from Malayalam media. Mr. Baiju Chandran senior journalist took me to DD Malayalam office.  While driving to Office we discussed major political issues in Kerala. I must say I have learnt allot while discussing.

Mr. Chandra worked as a student leader in his college days during emergency, he shared his experiences in reporting from Trivandrum. He said “Kerala politics are quite typical compared to other state politics because here we can see many parties with different mottos working together in government“.

    He explained major political movements in Kerala from emergency. How communists came to power with direct voting (it was the first time in the world for communist to be in power with voting), Described How communist parties separated to CPM and CPI, How communists lost their power within two years, how AK antony lead the government in Kerala when he was chief minister. Why Kerala people choose to change the government for every five years and etc…., he taught me many things.

DD Malayalam office is located in KUDUPANAKUNNU a hill top area in Trivandrum, is a beautiful place to have photographs but security dint allow me to take camera inside. I was introduced to many reporters and stringers in DD head office.

   I spoke to Dr K AMPADY Dept Director and Public information officer, An MMBS doctor turned journalist, and he enquired about my opinions on Indian politics and especially on AP politics.

Dr AMPADY is strong in central politics and is keen in observing politics from global perspective. He appreciated achutanandans Commitment to take Kerala towards Industrial development and his welfare schemes like KSHEERADHARA (brought down 75000 lit of milk imported to 25000 lit from North India) and Housing scheme (Gov builds homes for poor) and bank loans for formers.

     He was critical on both LDf and UDF for not discussing any public welfare issues in their rallies during the campaign. Amapady condemned the way both the parties shooting comments only on scams and scandals.

After the discussion we went to news room, I met stringers from Reuters and PTI and have seen how news comes into input desk and how it is divided on priority basis. They are using ENPS to upload news feeds, and then I spent the remaining time in editing room Prepared DOPESHEET for the 11o’colck bulletin.

Visited two news studios inside the office and spoke to SHAJI DEVI, news reader for Malayalam. She explained how to use teleprompter while reading. Studio was well decorated. Then I recorded a voice over in Sound proof room just for experience. I dint notice the time while was in DD office the passed in a minute.                                                                                                          

                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                                                                                                             Rajkamal Rao

KERALA POLLS -2011

“Kerala-a state famous for its nature, its culture and its sea shore”, these are the early responses from any tourist after visiting to Kerala. Unlike other tourists am in a political tour across the state to cover assembly elections.

A day after central government declared 100% literacy rate in Kerala, I moved to Trivandrum to start my first internship with DD national team and I received warm welcome from the Editor of DD Malayalam in tiruvanantapuram. On the very first day of my work I was given an opportunity to cover Soniagandhi’s tour in South Kerala with DD national team from Delhi. (Delhi team led by Ritu verma an experienced political journalist and two senior camera persons)

We started our day early in the morning to reach HARIPAD assembly constituency. Journey through hill stations, forest and sea shore was visually pleasing. Ritu mam and I discussed very crucial issues in Kerala election.

(Kerala is a very complex state geographically and even politically, there is never a repetitive government after its term from last forty years. The Major political quarters in Kerla LDF (a communist party lead alliance) and UDF (a congress lead alliance) differ themselves in all the ways)

As there is only a week left before elections, all the top political personalities from centre were addressing public meetings all over Kerala from last week.

     Congress president Mrs. Gandhi arrived at Haripad to address a public meeting to get support for cong lead, she explained UPA government’s role in developing Kerala from past ten years and she reminded UPA’s policies to strengthen common man. Sonia strictly opposed LDF’s administrative failures in bringing the corruption down and she quoted LDF as an OLD fashioned Political Crew.

Oman chandy and vailar Ravi accompanied Mrs. Gandhi in this campaign but couldn’t speak in public rallies. 

         Congress men worked day and night to bring maximum crowd to the meeting but were a bit unsuccessful. The meeting went peacefully but there was no enthusiasm in public while Sonia was delivering her speech.

It was first time for me to sit in media stand but it gave me opportunity to observe many things in live telecast, as the meeting finished we moved to allapi to cover boat rider’s views and expectations in coming elections. Alapi is all about greenery and water with beautifully decorated HOUSE BOATS.I suggest every one to visit allapi once.

                                                                                                                   Rajkamal rao