A sagacious move

After several months of controversies and unending animosity, the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana took a sagacious move to sort out the differences over sharing of Krishna waters at Nagarjunasagar. But, this rapprochement was not before the two sides indulging in abhorrent display of show of strength. More shockingly, the police and officials of two states engaged in a physical conflict raising serious questions over rule of law. Now, the two sides decided to take appropriate measures to avoid repetition of such an ugly spectacle.

However, the political establishment needs to be blamed for the situation to precipitate to this extent. The bureaucracy should never fall into the political trap. Political parties and governments should not rouse such emotions for their political self aggrandizement.

Though the present initiative has to be hailed, questions still remain. Is this only a temporary truce? Is even this temporary truce motivated by the immediate political necessities or a realization of the need for preserving the amity between two neighbouring states?

The TRS and the TDP had their political fortune owing to the simmering sentiment. The Telangana sentiment landed the TRS in seat of power. Similarly, the TDP was the chief beneficiary of the post-bifurcation anxieties in the residuary Andhra Pradesh. Thus, the two parties have political capital in inciting the respective sentiments. The actions and moves of both the parties and the governments led by them gave further credence to this interpretation. But, the current conjecture has redefined their political necessities. The TRS is moving heaven and earth to assuage the hurt feelings of Seemandhra people in Hyderabad which is essential for the party to capture the GHMC. The retreat by the KCR government on the discredited FAST scheme, especially its talk of 1956 as the cut-off period is an illustration of changed political strategy. Similarly, Chandrababu Naidu is making a frantic bid to revive his party’s fortunes in the civic polls in Telangana.

It is very important for the TDP to overcome an anti-Telangana image for Chandrababu Naidu led Andhra Pradesh government. This is the convergence of interests between the two sides which till yesterday took irreconcilable positions on disputes between the two States. Whatever may be the immediate political need that pushed the two governments close to a deal, such an outcome needs to be hailed. Sagacity even if it is driven by political necessity needs to be welcomed. But, Telugu people want the two sides to show a similar commitment to resolve all the outstanding issues in a spirit of cooperation and accommodation. Adherence to the State Reorganization Act would be the right course. The Bachawat tribunal can be the basis for the resolution of water dispute. The Centre cannot absolve its responsibility of ensuring that the provisions of Reorganisation Act are adhered to. It should also play its constitutional role. Hesitancy to act on the part of the Centre due to political calculations cannot be acceptable.