Telangana - Behind the scenes I

There is enough rhetoric on the Telangana/United Andhra movements to bury us until next elections. So, I am going to stay clear of the pro/cons of the Telangana/United Andhra movements and instead focus on the players as I see them. The goal is to provide a "view from the top". Any contributions towards expanding the perspective are most welcome.

Telangana movement has had its ups and downs since 1947. It peaked in 1969 under Indira Gandhi's tenure, and was revived in 2000 only to culminate in the crushing defeat of TRS in 2009 elections. So lets look at  what possibly led to the current events from that low in 2009 elections.

PS : Note the timestamp of reports

Nov 2nd, 2009 analysis : The three sides after YSR : Jagan-Rossiah-Sonia

Link

Quote:

• The Congress party, especially the CM Rosaiah, has to tread a fine line between keeping Jagan in the fold by allowing some leeway in his (and his associates') business transactions, and at the same time, not allowing Jagan & friends to become financially so strong that they can hold the party to ransom. (Let us face it, all these parties, Congress, TDP, BJP etc. work only towards enriching their leaders and the associated business class). The issues surrounding the Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) point to this balancing act. Gali Janardhan Reddy and his associates can get away with the loot of public wealth provided their political backers in AP (Jagan & associates) toe the high command line. However, now that the issues have been raised and an investigation has been ordered, any time Jagan &Co raise the banner of revolt, the files can be dusted off and CBI asked to investigate. So, there you go.

According to the rumor mill from the inner circles of Congress, Rossiah and INC high command intended to undercut Jagan via Mining scandal since his ambitious signature campaign. Jagan prods KCR and sponsors some of this street protests as a likely tactical move to counter this strategy. It was supposed to deflect public focus from OMC scandal and possibly create some problems for the Rossiah-Center combine. Apparently, it wasn't meant for a showdown. However, on first contact with reality, it took a whole different tone and KCR got his momentum. Little games have started an avalanche and winners are yet to emerge.


Nov, 2009 :  Telangana campaign intensifies

KCR wants T-land vacated (Nov 09, 2009) - Deccan Chronicle
Quote :

• The Telangana Rashtra Samiti president, Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao, said that the Andhra people who “grabbed” valuable land and acquired assets in Telangana should give them up voluntarily and leave the region. 
  

• Speaking to reporters at Vemulawada temple after having darshan of the deity, Mr Rao said the party would chalk out a special action plan to take over the lands occupied by people from Andhra.

KCR threatens to chase away Andhrites (Nov 10, 2009) - Indian Express
Quote :

• “This is my final step. Either you will see KCR’s funeral or his victory procession,” he said.
  

• However, after asking Andhraites to stay away, which ruffled many feathers, KCR modified his statement. “Actually Andhraites settled here are facing anger of Telangana people due to a few land sharks, industrialists and businessmen, who are fleecing local people and minting money. It is because of a few people that Andhra settlers are facing the brunt of Telangana anger. I must admit that if Telangana agitators become upset and direct their anger at Andhraites I won’t be able to stop them,” KCR said. His statements initially drew the ire of other political leaders, but soon they dismissed him as a rabble rouser.
  

• Having left with no political base and with only two MPs, including himself, and 10 MLAs, KCR is adopting various ways to seek attention, including making statements against Andhra ‘settlers’. Now, he has announced that he would soon start a fast unto death demanding separation of Telangana. “He has asked his aides to start preparing for the fast and they are asking if KCR wants to fast what should they be preparing for?” asked a TRS MLA.

KCR's Telangana drama shifts to Jail (Nov 30, 2009) - Times of India
Quote:

• “I will continue my fast even if the government imprisons me,” KCR said while being shifted to the jail at Danavaigudem after he was produced before a magistrate in Khammam where medical tests were conducted. Rejecting the bail plea, special judicial second class magistrate Ch Sreerama Murthy ordered 14-day remand for KCR and nine others. 
  

• Following the arrest, students and TRS workers protested at Osmania University (OU) in Hyderabad, Kakatiya University (KU) in Warangal, Telangana University (TU) in Nizamabad and pelted stones at police and RTC buses. Ten RTC buses were damaged across the state. The situation turned volatile on the OU campus when students hurled stones at the cops who resorted to lathicharge to disperse them. A student threatened to jump from hostel terrace.
  

In one month, KCR becomes the "Tiger of Telangana" and arouses sharp emotions from Telangana. Even at this moment, most people from Telangana remained neutral. The rest of the folks, have smugly imagined that it would be as usual.

By this time, in order to prove the loyalty as is customary, all the Congress representatives have unanimously voted to allow Sonia make the final decision. These representatives said that they will abide by whatever Sonia decides.

Sonia and Rahul's behind the scenes (Nov 29, 2009) : Madhu Yashki Goud's letter (pg1) & pg2
Quote :

• I draw your attention to mention that I met Sri Rahulji and brought to his notice the desires and the imminent need to carve out a seperate state-Telangana. Sri Rahulji is the champion who believes in smaller states and he is for the same without any concern for the people's choice. Sri Rahulji hates the people of Andhra. He is not interested to see that the people of Andhra or for that matter the people from Rayalaseema to have their say in the matter of formation of the state of Telangana. Sri Rahulji has assured a separate state of Telangana in his discussions he had with me. He also informed me that the news of separate state of Telangana may be announced on 9th December, 2009, the birthday of Smt. Sonia Gandhi as a gift to our Telangana people. The assurance of Sri Rahulji is, therefore a happy news to all of us. It is a big morale booster to our efforts.
• In view of the backing of Sri Rahulji we people of Telangana have planned to put Sri. K. Chandra sekhar Rao, Chief of TRS in the fore front to project the views of Telangana people. We have planned that after his calls and indefinite fasting for a separate state, the Congress Party would finally fulfill our dreams. 

If the claims were to be believed, then Sonia/Rahul, with or without the mandarins have made up their mind by the Nov 29th. All they need is for TRS to make it easy for them. The possible motivations are a whole different topic.

Dec 09, 2009 11:30PM : Center announces new state aka "Sonia Day"
Note that earlier, the MPs from all regions unanimously voted to allow the Empress to take the final decision in this regard. As predicted by Yashki 11 days ago on 29th (around the same time KCR launched the 2-phase fast), 30 mins before midnight on Sonia's birthday, Chidambaram goes to media to announce the gift.

This is reminiscent of the Raja/Maharaja/Nawab syndrome, where the rulers throws presents to the common people to commemorate their important days. No wonder they are referred to as Rajmata and Yuvraj.

More later, on the Sonia Day itself and the aftermath.