YSRC steers it's boat towards Samaikyandhra

HYDERABAD: YSRC honorary president Y S Vijayalakshmi has taken a cue from the old adage of not sailing in two boats at a time and has decided to navigate YSRC's boat to Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema region.

The YSRC, which had earlier supported statehood to Telangana, has been gradually changing its stance ever since it failed to make a mark in the region. But following the recent exodus of its leaders from Telangana after its U-turn on the issue of bifurcation of AP, the YSRC has almost given up its hopes on the T-region.

An argument is gaining ground in the YSRC that it would be wise if it concentrates more in Seemandhra with a pro-Samaikyandhra (united Andhra) stand and consolidate its position which is now being threatened by the TDP. Party leaders also feel that it should not fritter away whatever gains Sharmila had made with her padayatra.

'Vijayalakshmi's hunger strike is meant to ensure justice to the people who would be affected by the thoughtless decision of the Congress to divide the state,' party senior leader M V Mysoora Reddy said.

Her changed refrain now is that the state should not be divided if the Congress leadership does not know how to render justice to the people in Seemandhra region post-division. She dashed off a letter to the Prime Minister wondering how the Congress leadership could take such a crucial decision without first addressing the concerns of the people of Seemandhra region.

For her, justice to Seemandhra means according special status to Hyderabad, where people of all regions will have equal rights, and ensuring a fair deal in sharing of river waters and revenue between the two new states.

'There is no clarity on what the Congress intends to do for the people of Seemandhra. Without giving any thought to the thorny issues that would arise during division, the party has made the announcement. Why do you want to divide the state if you cannot do justice to the people in Seemandhra?' asked Vijayalakshmi on the day she took the decision to go on hunger strike.

TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu's efforts to cash in on the ongoing agitation in Seemandhra also seem to have driven Vijayamma to jump into the Samaikyandhra movement.

The leaders have been given a carte blanche to reflect the opinion of the people they represent. At the state level, the party stand is that since a decision has already been taken on division, let there be equal justice to people of both the regions, an important functionary of the party said.

As competition is increasing for political space in Seemandhra, YSRC is doing what is logical for it'ignore Telangana and concentrate on Samaikyandhra.