Art of Living: New mantra for parties in power

Hyderabad, Dec 29 (INN): The recent developments in the State assembly and parliament have evoked many questions on the number game and the compulsions of coalition politics.

With PRP saving the day for Congress in the State, there was an embarrassment at the Centre as two major Bills could not get the desired backing.

In a multi-polar system and a coalition government, smaller parties are bound to play a major role and it was proved beyond reasonable doubt in the recent happenings in the world's largest democracy.

While Kiran Kumar Reddy could pass out of the no confidence motion by a comfortable margin, things did not go to the liking of the ruling party as the house has witnessed one more power centre in the form of YSR Congress.

In Parliament, the Lok Pal Bill had to be passed by a voice vote and amendments could not be carried as the ruling UPA did not have the required two third majority of members present in the house.

When the Judicial Bill came up, it had to beat a hasty retreat with opposition pressing for division and the ruling coalition not having the required numbers in the House.

In the state situation will be not the same as before. Neither Congress nor TDP can claim a full mandate if what has happened in the Assembly are of any indication.

Congress still believes that it is the single largest party which has a mass base and many times proved that it is a bad floor manager and worse negotiator in times of crisis.

Right from rejecting Mamta Banerjee by the then Congress president Sitaram Kesari, which forced her to launch her own Trinamol Congress till the Chandrasekara Rao fast and handling the TRS issue the blunders are many.

When the state lacks a strong leader, things worsen and the Delhi Durbar hears the voices of those whom it has access to, which need not necessarily be the real feelings or the mirror mood of the people.

Coalition politics can be successful only if there is a constant interaction and a proper and active plank to meet. The coordination committee may not be defunct but the chairperson's illness and her absence must have had its reflection in the developments.

The State scene is no different. PRP is seeking is share for backing the government during crisis. The vote of no confidence has exposed a variety of combinations and polarisation and has shown the emergence of a formidable YSR Congress.

TDP and TRS have crossed swords at every given opportunity and the ensuing by-elections stand as a litmus test to both parties. TDP has taken the aggressive route and has unleashed M Narsimlu to bash TRS President K Chandrsekhara Rao and N Chandrababu Naidu has taken up padayatra in the region which TRS is threatening to disrupt any time.

TDP has no other go as it lacks a good second rung base in Telangana and wants to regain its hold in the region. With A Madhav Reddy dead, T Devender Gound branded as a party hopper and Erraballi Dayakar Rao and Nagam JanardhanReddy out, Naidu has no option but to take up the responsibility on his shoulders keep the yellow flag afloat in the region.

TRS on the other hand should try something new to impress people that it is committed to Telangana cause and will be facing a multi-cornered contest. With coalition politics becoming order of the day, it is tie-ups and management that will be the most important factor that govern the polity in the days to come.