Political game in AP at its peak - TeluguPeople.com News

Hyderabad: As it is perhaps a matter of weeks before Andhra Pradesh is bifurcated, different political parties and their leaders are deeply involved in political games, thus furthering their own secret agenda.

While no party is willing to share its strategy with the other, each of them is pursuing one-upmanship with the other and each accusing the other of being the betrayers.

YSR Congress led by Jaganmohan Reddy, TRS of K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), TDP of Chandrababu Naidu and Congress leaders from both Telangana and Seemandhra regions are in jittery over finalizing their individual strategies to meet their future requirements.

As none of them are sure of what suits them best, there is a confusion and chaos in their camps. It is no doubt that the Congress Working Committee's decision to carve Telangana State out of Andhra Pradesh on July 30 has come as a bolt from the blue to these parties and their leaders in the State.

Even as the leaders rubbed their eyes in disbelief, the Congress high command has hastened the process by getting approval of the union cabinet to the move and the formation of the Group of Minister (GoM) for it.

Parties playing cards close to their chest on post-bifurcation strategy
The rapid succession with these developments took place; the main political players in the State had hardly got any time to wake out of their stupor and get their act together.

All the major parties including BJP are divided on regional lines and leadership of each party has almost lost track with the grassroots cadre in fathoming the pulse of people. Let's analyze the situation in each party.

Jagan has almost made up his mind to confine his party to the Seemandhra. By the time he was released from jail on Sept 26, he realized that it was too late for him to have any say in the division issue. Then, he quickly decided to champion the cause of the Samaikyandhra, which would be music to the ears of Seemandhra people.

By claiming credit for united statehood, Jagan wants to keep his party No 1 in Seemandhra. He doesn't want to concede any space for other players ' especially TDP on this issue.

Now, though Jagan chants the slogan of Samaikyandhra, his aim is to emerge as a strong force in Seemandhra and become the chief minister of the region after next elections KCR too has multiple agenda up his sleeves.

On the one hand he wants to claim credit for the Congress decision to create Telangana State, but at the same time, he, in his heart of hearts, prefers the State formation only after the next elections, so that his bargaining power will be maximized.Long ago, he has already gone on record that he is willing to merge his party into Congress, if Telangana state is granted.

KCR is buoyed some opinion polls that TRS would bag more seats in Telangana even after the formation of Telangana. But, once the Congress conceded the demand and announced its full backing to it and even initiated the process, KCR has changed his line.

Now, he says that he would consider merger only after the Centre passes the Bill in the Parliament for formation of Telangana. His party leaders say that the merger was not on their agenda.

KCR is buoyed with the outcome of some opinion polls that TRS would bag more seats in Telangana even after the formation of Telangana. That means, people of the region are opting for TRS as their champion, as Congress doesn't have any credible leaders to claim credit for it. KCR is also not on cordial terms with any Telangana Congress leaders.

Moreover, KCR wants to keep options open for any eventuality. He wants to maximize his bargaining power with the Congress, by delaying the merger issue till the last minute.

If the Congress fails to deliver Telangana State by any chance, KCR would be the happiest man; he can emerge the champion of the region in 2014 elections, and maximize his seats.

Depending on the situation, KCR can even consider joining BJP 'led NDA after the elections, if the results favour the coalition. Otherwise, he can continue his alliance with the Congress led UPA, and still enhance his negotiating powers, for more ministries and powerful portfolios both at the Centre and the State.

TDP president Chandrababu Naidu is doing a balancing act between Seemandhra and Telangana leaders. But, he is slowly tilting toward Samaikyandhra.

He knows on which side his bread is buttered. After giving up in Telangana, Naidu too wants to consolidate his position in Seemandhra. His main rival is Jagan and target is to beat YSR Congress.

Then, the Congress leaders in both Telangana and Seemandhra are rudderless. Telangana Congress leaders are disheartened as there are chances of KCR contesting against them in next elections.

They are praying that KCR merges with them so that they can easily get re-elected. There are more CM candidates from among Telangana Congress leaders, which is a drawback to the party in the region.

Congress is almost wiped out in Seemandhra as the party cannot hope to get any votes there. Some Congress leaders in Seemandhra may join YSR Congress or TDP while others are contemplating to form a party, possibly led by CM Kiran Kumar Reddy.

Similar is the dilemma TDP leaders in Telangana, as they have no better option than joining either TRS or BJP or Congress. Another individual player who has his own game plan is Kiran Kumar Reddy.

Already, he has emerged as the choice of AP NGOs who went on over two month long strike protesting against Telangana. Kiran is likely to form new party, if his is sacked by the high command, or even sidelined in passing a Bill on Telangana in Parliament, irrespective of his objections.