Politics turns murkier in AP ahead of polls

The countdown for the first phase of polling has begun in both the Telugu speaking States. While the picture in Telangana appears to be more clear that the TRS would bag maximum number of seats, the scenario in Andhra Pradesh is terribly murky.

The issue of Special Category Status has become an emotional issue but more than that scheming, strategies and counter strategies to outwit each other and the way the Central agencies are being used for narrow political purposes, exposing the vindictive attitude of the Centre towards the residual State, has become a cause of worry.

If one looks at the recent spurt in raids of Income Tax Department focusing only on the candidates of the ruling party in Andhra Pradesh, it makes one feel that it is a cheap gimmick to see that the candidates are prevented from campaigning for a day or two so that they will lose some precious time to meet the voters.

Recently, the IT raided a hospital of Kanigiri Assembly constituency run by Ugra Narsimha Reddy but found nothing. The latest was the IT raid on the Mydukuru TDP candidate and chairman of TTD Putta Sudhakar Yadav on Wednesday. It may or may not be true, but it certainly gives an impression that all these raids are politically motivated.

Interestingly, on the same day the Leader of the Opposition heaps praises on Telangana Chief Minister and Prime Minister but ducks any mention about the Congress which had announced that it would give Special Category Status to AP if voted to power and included it in its manifesto. Till now the Opposition leader Y S Jaganmohan Reddy has been saying that his party would support any party that would assure SCS at the Centre. The BJP has not done so. It has not even mentioned about it anywhere but still Modi is seen as a leader with strong will power.

Friendly relationship between the neighbouring States is always a welcome step. But when the election heat is at its peak and allegations are being made that the TRS is objecting to the SCS, the statement made by the Opposition leader of Andhra Pradesh raises several questions. The leader who believes in giving interviews only to national media made it clear that KCR is one person who has come forward pledging the support of his 17 MPs for SCS and he is the one who thinks about Andhra Pradesh.

If 17 of Telangana MPs and 25 AP MPs together stand up in Parliament speaking in high tone, it would become imperative for the Central government to listen to their voice. The big question is what if the BJP is back to power? It is very clear that the BJP is in no mood to give SCS to AP. Then can these 42 members create earthquake in Parliament and achieve SCS? Interestingly, the Telangana Chief Minister has been appealing to the voters to defeat Modi. But Jagan apparently feels otherwise.

It needs to be noted that the TRS had shown its newfound love for the YSRCP after the Assembly elections in Telangana were over. TRS party working president K T Rama Rao called on Jagan and held confabulations with him. Again, this was after the Chief Minister stated at a press conference that he would give return gift to Andhra Pradesh. All that the TRS had told Jagan was that if needed be, they would write a letter asking the Centre to give Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh. So far there is no progress in that direction.

All out efforts are being made by all political parties including the ruling party, the main opposition and the new entrant Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena to confuse people. They feel that if they cannot convince, they should confuse the voters. But dear leaders don't misjudge the people. They know what to do.