The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Political parties fight for credit

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Tuesday, Jun 16, 2009
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Political parties fight for credit

G.V.R. Subba Rao

NUZVID: The programme organised here on Monday to distribute pattas (title deeds) to tribals became an occasion for political parties and groups within them to claim credit for it. The activists contended that the government’s decision to distribute the pattas was the result of their sustained efforts and struggle on behalf of tribals.

Leaders of different groups in the ruling Congress too attempted to claim the credit. Followers of MLC Paladugu Venkata Rao and former MLA Meka Venkata Pratapa Appa Rao squabbled for the credit. Both the groups, in the presence of Minister Kolusu Parthasarothy, asserted that their leaders were instrumental in issuing the pattas to the tribals.

Heated arguments

The groups earlier entered into a heated argument at the R&B guest house too. Followers of Mr. Appa Rao alleged that Mr. Venkat Rao worked against their leader in the recent elections, leading to his defeat. But for the sabotage, the Congress would have retained the seat, they asserted, demanding the suspension of Mr. Venkata Rao from the party.

If the tribals who turned up for the programme were to be believed, the activists of Left parties went round tribal hamlets tom-tomming that the government was issuing pattas to them as a result of a protracted struggle waged by them, while the Congress workers followed their footprints.A good number of tribals attended the meeting sporting badges distributed by the CPI.

They were apparently told that the pattas would be issued only to those who sport the badges. The tribals said that the badges were distributed to them while they were reaching the venue, and they were advised to wear the badges until they received the pattas.

B. Ramulu of Naguluru said: “The Communists gave this badge to me. They used to tell me that they would help me in getting a patta.” But, Banothu Srinivasulu of Siddhartha Nagar was more forthright about sporting the badge. He said: “We waged struggle for pattas since the 90s along with the Communists.”

Confused!

On the contrary, Rathya Vaali of Kesava thanda was not sure who helped her in getting a patta.

“The Communists helped us,” she said somewhat tentatively, adding quickly: “The MLA and the MP also helped us.” Asked who were her local MLA and the MP, she wore a puzzled look and said: “Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy is our MLA.”

Some of the tribals were visibly confused and baffled not due to the tall claims made by political parties, but because they did not know why they were drawn out to the venue when their names did not figure in the list. Some argued that injustice was done to their hamlet. L. Nagulu, Valiya and others of Kothuru thanda argued that the names of none of their thanda people figured in the list, while people of the neighbouring thandas reaped the harvest.

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