Kiran wants to go down in history as martyr

Hyderabad : Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, who crossed the 'Lakshman Rekha' by defying the Congress high command on the division of Andhra Pradesh, appears to be hoping to emerge as a hero in the eyes of people of Seemandhra.

While some Congress leaders caution that Kiran is digging his own political grave, others are of the view that he is preparing ground for a win-win situation.

Kiran's latest letter to President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh questioning the decisions of Congress Working Committee and the UPA cabinet to carve out Telangana state is a clear sign that he is prepared for the worst ' of losing his job, in the event of the high command taking a serious view of his defiance.

But, the 53 year old Kiran, who will be completing three years in office next month, is clever enough to weigh the pros and cons of his defiance against the high command that picked him for the post on November 25, 2010.

Kiran is not so na've as to forget that he became the CM purely on the mercy of party president Sonia Gandhi. Many thought Kiran cannot complete 3 months in the post, but he already surpassed the tenure record of many CMs in the State, like PV Narasimha Rao, J Vengal Rao, T Anjaiah, Bhavanam Venktaram, Nadendla Bhaskara Rao and K Rosaiah.

Still, he has taken a calculated risk of antagonizing the party leadership on bifurcation issue. In his view, the gamble of opposing tooth and nail the formation of Telangana state alone ensures a place for him in the eyes of Seemandhra people.

If one looks at Kiran's background, it is clear that he never dreamt that he would become the CM at such an early age. When the party chose him to replace the aging Rosaiah as the CM, he did not have much experience, except as the speaker for a brief stint and Government Chief Whip. When Congress came to power in 2009, Kiran was just a ministerial aspirant.

Defying Congress high command, Kiran hopes to emerge a political force
But, luck catapulted Kiran into the coveted post. He can be considered double lucky, for having survived three years, despite the turbulent political atmosphere.

On one hand, YSR Congress Party chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy was aggressively touring the State seeking to topple his government, while on the other the TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao was riding on the crest of a popular wave in Telangana.

Kiran was shrewd enough to force the main opposition TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidu not to move a no-trust motion against him. Initially, Kiran agreed to abide by the decision of Congress high command on Telangana. But, once the leadership decided to divide AP on July 30, Kiran quickly changed his stance and began opposing it.

First, he made an exhaustive presentation before the CWC opposing granting statehood for Telangana. Later, he signed a memorandum of Seemandhra leaders to keep AP united.

Then, Kiran talked of problems arising out of division of the State. He openly defied the party leadership on this issue at least on 10 occasions in the recent times.

Still, Kiran got a certificate from AICC General Secretary in-charge of AP affairs, Digvijaya Singh, that he is a 'loyal leader'. Now, Kiran is gearing up for any of the following eventualities: One, The Centre goes ahead and creates Telangana with 10 districts including Hyderabad.

In that case, Kiran will go down as political martyr fighting for the interests of Seemandhra people. Even if he retires early, he will not be hated by his own people that he had not opposed the bifurcation of AP.

Two, if the Centre goes ahead and divides AP, Kiran will have the option of launching a new political party and win 10 -15 MPs in Seemandhra. With that, he can build his political future, along with Jagan and Chandrababu Naidu.

Kiran is counting on support of Pallam Raju, Kavuri Sambasiva Rao, Rayapati Sambasiva Rao, Lagadapati Rajagopal and others, if he forms a party.

Third, if Kiran's stubborn resistance forces the Centre to create three states ' Telangana, Seemandhra and another with the limits of Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) limits, it will be a boon for him. The HMDA limits with 4- 5 MP seats may go with Kiran's new party and add to his kitty of 10 -15 MPs from Seemandhra.

This may be a wishful thinking on the part of Kiran, but, he is counting on every option that may come his way. After KCR made it clear that he is not interested in merging his party with Congress, the chances of Kiran emerging as a player in bifurcation politics have brightened. It remains to be seen how things will pan out for him.

Kiran's gamble

- If Telangana of 10 districts plus Hyderabad is formed, Kiran will go down fighting a martyr
- He will have the option of launching a new political party, which will get 10-12 MPs in Seemandhra
- If Centre buckles under pressure and grants special status to HMDA limits of Hyderabad, or even makes it a state, then Kiran will have the last laugh
- KCR's reluctance to merge with Congress offers hope to Kiran