Will KCR-Jagan bonhomie fetch good dividends?

'Politics makes strange bedfellows', a maxim rightly derived from a famous Shakespearean passage from The Tempest, seems to hold water for the Telugu States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in the present context.

The Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh have not just ousted the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) from the corridors of power and brought YSRCP chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy to the helm, but as we all witnessed, they have also brought the two hitherto warring sister States closer.

Strange but true, though the K Chandrashekar Rao - Jagan Mohan Reddy bonhomie has raised eyebrows in some circles, it sparked an element of surprise and speculation about what is cooking between them.

The Opposition parties are alleging that there are some ulterior motives behind the two parties —the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) – cosying up post elections.

Not accustomed to seeing such friendly relations between the two States since the bifurcation five years ago, people are waiting to see as to what extent this newfound love go and be successful in getting fruits to the States.

Immediately after the Lok Sabha election results were declared on May 21, the two leaders exchanged warm greetings, invitations and meetings and were seen heaping praises on each other in public.

They even prepared a list of pending issues to be resolved between the bifurcated States and said they were looking forward to work together in future on various projects.

In their recent meetings, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and his Andhra Pradesh counterpart Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy sought to sort out several issues including river water sharing, division of AP Bhavan property in Delhi, institutions mentioned in Schedule 9 and 10 of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act and division of other properties and assets among other issues.

Engineers and officials of both the governments were asked to come out with a preliminary report by July 15 on how the two States can utilise the available Godavari river water together.

In all probability, another meeting of both the Chief Ministers is likely to be held in Amaravati soon. If things go as planned, the resolution of these important pending issues will prove to be advantageous for both the States as it will solve the water allocation issue, a major bone of contention that have been dogging the two States ever since the partition of united Andhra Pradesh. The division of institutions will enable the employees and workers to secure their jobs and relieve them from uncertainty.

Still, the pertinent question is whether these close relations will work and benefit the two States in the long run.

It may be noted here that much to the chagrin of the two Telugu States, the 2019-2020 Union Budget unveiled on July 5 has not provided additional funds for their major schemes and projects, despite Andhra Pradesh desperately pressing for Special Category Status (SCS) for the State and Telangana seeking allocations for Kaleshwaram and other major ongoing projects.

Now, we have to see how the camaraderie between KCR and Jagan will be able to get the rightful benefits for the two States. If the cooperation and warm relations between these leaders continue in the future, hope we can see a bright future and faster development of these two States.

Instead of going all out only to cause terminal damage to their common political rival, TDP national president and former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, and help their kith and kin to rake in illegal moolah, KCR-Jagan duo can intensify their fight for special status for AP and recognition and Central funds for various schemes and projects for Telangana. With the presence of 22 YSRCP and nine TRS MPs in the Lok Sabha, both the leaders can go a long way in pressing their demands and pressuring the government during the sessions through protests.

Being a seasonal politician and a shrewd decision maker, Telangana's undisputed leader K Chandrashekar Rao can also act as a guiding light to the young and inexperienced Jagan Mohan Reddy and prevent him from taking hasty decisions. By making well-thought of and prudent decisions and moves, both the leaders can work together to bring benefit to both the States.

Though the closeness of the two Chief Ministers is perceived by the Opposition parties as "overt understanding with hidden agenda," it seems there is more than meets the eye, and all that for the welfare of both the States.

Chandrashekar Rao's affection for his AP counterpart is not easily digested by the people as until recently we saw him and former AP Chief Minister locking horns and being critical of each other on every issue. And, Chandrashekar Rao has never minced his words while venting his ire against Chandrababu Naidu, once his mentor who turned his arch-rival.

It is anybody's guess that Telangana Chief Minister, while having his grandiose plans for the welfare of the youngest State in the country, always has kept his anger against Naidu alive and kicking and publicly announced of his 'return gift' to the later for meddling with Telangana Assembly elections.

Settling scores apart, if the messiah of Telangana masses who declared that he had equal concern for Telugu fraternity of Andhra Pradesh, really strive hard along with AP's young and enthusiastic Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, the rightful shares of both the States can be availed from the Centre and lead the States to progress and prosperity.