BJP and Telengana

Opposition party like every citizen of the nation have certain responsibilities. Opposition does not mean, taking opposite stand to the Government. Nor it is intended to put the Government in a fix with irresponsible statements. Opposition is for a balancing act in a democracy. For a major (respectable) party like BJP, specifically the recent statements of LK Advani amply display their irresponsibility on a sensitive and increasing difficult issue, Telengana and resolution.

BJP essentially lack an understanding of the Telengana problem and it's complexity.  The BJP understands very well the Congress lead Central government is in a soup and that they are struggling to find a solution. This is their best political opportunity to gain mileage. Hence get into the ring and start the game!. But what are the consequences and what will be the wider impact?

BJP may have a track record of creating Jharkhand, Uttarakhand or Chattisgharh. But, the states were created with an amicable understanding of the concerned parties. In case of Telanaga, Vidharbha or Darjeeling there is no such consensus.

Here, we have to understand some of the fundamental differences. When Jharkhand, Uttarakhand or Chattisgharh were created - these states were under developed parts of the larger state entities. Their under development was so obvious that in case of Jharkhand or Chattisgharh - despite having huge natural resources there were no obvious developed. Everyone acknowledged that, bifurcation would bring them an opportunity for a focused development. In all these cases - Bihar, Utter Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh retained their names and also their capitals Patna, Luckow and Bhopal with them. Broadly speaking, the underdeveloped part of the bigger states were carved out. Hence there were no political, social, cultural or economic issues.. All the new states took with them natural resources, lesser population and hope.  Overall it was win win situation at the time of bifurcation

History of Andhra Pradesh is starkly different from the above scenario. For hundreds of years, Telugu speaking people were divided and they were treated as second class citizens in erstwhile Nizam and Madras states. It was the wisdom of citizens and political class of that time and, significant sacrifices resulted in Andhra Pradesh state. Until the arrival of NT Ramarao on the political scene in 1983, Telugu speaking people could not even establish their national identity. Since 1956, generations of Telugu children were told Hyderabad is their capital and it was the sacrifices of their earlier generations brought them with a respectable identity. During the course of six decades, the state has witnessed all round integration. It is a fact, though unofficially acknowledged, one of the integration factor is caste. Andhra, Telengana and Rayalaseema - Reddies, Brahmins, Kammas, Velamas and Kapu intermarry with in their caste across the regions.

Now the fundamental difference. Telengana is NOT the least developed region of Andhra Pradesh. Of the 9 districts in the region nearly 4 of them comes under the Hyderabad metro area. Hyderabad itself is the 4th or 5th largest metro in India is part of Telengana. Hundreds of thousands of families migrated to Hyderabad and started new lives. This resulted in cultural, social and economic integration. Each one of these families contributed their own share of brick to develop the state and Hyderabad. This is not akin to Jharkhand, Uttarakhand or Chattisghargh (most of the Biharis or UP people in fact migrated out of the state to the places like Mumbai or Delhi). In such a scenario non-telengana regions should demand a new state. However, it is Telengana region which includes Hyderabad is asking for secession. That is the crux of the problem.

Congress government know very well that there is no simple or acceptable solution. Though it is not yet to the intensity of Punjab (Indira Gandhi) or Tamil (Rajiv Gandhi) in 1990's, Congress high command (Sonia and Rahul Gandhi) knew too well that, any decision on Andhra Pradesh would have serious wider consequences. Congress government also acutely aware that Telengana issue has been given life by Congress high Command and YS Rajasekhar Reddy to check mate, Chandrababu Naidu and his Telugu Desam Party. YS Rajasekhar Reddy, perhaps realised the strategic mistake very well in 2004, when Congress returned to power on it's own. Since then, he endeavoured to control or contain Telengana movement and TRS. Unfortunately, Chandrababu Naidu failed to support YSR for political compulsions.

Now, BJP thinks that it can announce Telengana State with out any problem, issues or consequences and take huge credit. BJP should be aware that. this is as complex a issue as Ayodhya Rama-Mandir (which becomes Advani agenda when ever he was pushed to a corner). Many Indians rank Advani on par with Sardar Patel who is considered Iron Man of India and key figure for integrating the nation. However, Advani's talk - his track record while in Government was below the par. On his role as Opposition leader is - his repeated utterances on -"how weak is Dr Manmohan Singh" speaks of his personal ego and supremacy. Lal Krishna Advani must be aware of his party core agenda and instead concentrate on building Ram Mandir on which - they got into the power and abandoned soon afterwards. May be, Advani and BJP Political opportunism is vote bank in Telengana Region and few seats in the parliament.

However, Adavani and his BJP leadership should be aware of the fact that South of India has been very peaceful since independence. As a responsible leader of a responsible party, Advani and his party should not destroy the peace for cheap political gains. It is a Congress Party problem and let it be resolved by them. Meanwhile you please concentrate on Ram Mandir and deep rooted corruption in your own backyard.