Mockery of democracy

The BJP seems to have succeeded in implementing its policy of divide and rule. Once again, the TDP and the TRS have failed to put up a united fight against the Centre to extract a firm commitment in regard to implementation of AP State Re-Organisation Act-2014 in letter and spirit.

While the AP MPs all through their speech focussed on non-sanctioning of special category status during the short discussion in Rajya Sabha, the TRS expressed its unhappiness over AP and other MPs for not mentioning Telangana in their speeches – it did not support the demand of AP.

This is exactly what the Centre wants. And that is why they are ignoring both the Telugu-speaking states. The two states are also suffering because the BJP knows that they have no future in this part at least during the 2019 elections. The attitude of NDA government towards the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh has been aptly described by TDP as "lynching the aspirations and intentions of the people.”

While the Centre needs to be blamed for its “deceit” as the leaders of political parties say, parties and leaders in both States too need to take equal blame for such a situation. They refuse to learn lessons from neighbouring states like Tamil Nadu whose parties unite when it comes to fighting for state’s interests against the Centre.

Union Home Minister on Tuesday once again made it clear that there was no question of giving special status category to Andhra Pradesh. Rajnath Singh even chided Gulam Nabi Azad who insisted on a straight reply, saying, “Aap ko abhi bhi samajh mein nahi aaya kya?” Dr Manmohan Singh in his brief to the point speech reminded that the special status issue was discussed with Arun Jaitley and other senior BJP leaders...(He was apparently referring to the Chairman of Rajya Sabha M Venkaiah Naidu). “Commitments made on the floor of the house have to be honoured and fulfilled,” he insisted.

But, in-charge Finance Minister Piyush Goyal went to the extent of saying that since special status was not included in the act, they could not implement it. This raises two important issues. One, does the assurance of Prime Minister have any value or sanctity on the floor of the Parliament? Secondly, can’t the successor government rectify the mistakes of the previous government? If that is the case, then why should they have assurances committees in Parliament and Legislatures? Why should the Prime Minister or Chief Ministers make any promises on the floor of the house? Is it not making a mockery of democracy?

Well who wins the battle and who loses would be known when polling takes place, but during the discussion in Rajya Sabha it appeared that there was one person who was feeling embarrassed when Speaker after Speaker claimed that they were speaking nothing but facts. At one point of time, the Chairman of Rajya Sabha quipped that he knows what the real facts are but being the chairman, he cannot make any comment. This speaks volumes of what the real situation is.