Popularly known as ‘professor’ among political circles, M. Kodandaram, a teacher in political science by profession, led the Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC) in the post-December 2009 movement for statehood by bringing together different sections onto a single platform. The forum of employees, students, people’s organisations and political parties, that played a pivotal role in the movement, now wants to play the watchdog in the reconstruction of Telangana in tune with the aspirations of the people. In an interview to The Hindu , the TJAC chairman, possibly the strongest Telangana ideologue after late Prof. K. Jayashankar, shares his thoughts. Here are the excerpts:
What role will the TJAC play, now that the struggle for statehood is over
The demand for statehood has never been just for the administrative purpose. It has always been for self-rule, self-respect and control and ownership over the local resources that were being exploited by capitalists from Seemandhra. So, TJAC’s struggle is not yet over. By playing the role of a watchdog, we want to continue creating awareness among people about their rights on resources and put pressure on the rulers to resolve problems including creating employment opportunities. We want the parties to rise to the hopes of the people.
Will TJAC strive for unity among all sections in the reconstruction of Telangana as it did during the movement
Why not, we try to involve everyone in our quest to ensure equal rights to people on resources.
What kind of electoral verdict you think the people will give, fractured or clear, in Telangana now
I firmly believe that they are mature enough to give a verdict that suits their needs, keeping in mind the injustices and sufferings they underwent in the governments led by the Seemandhra rulers.
How will the TJAC protect the interests of Telangana in the distribution of employees, pensioners, assets and liabilities
In case of employees and pensioners, we want the Kamalanathan Committee to keep in mind the violations pointed out by the Girglani Commission. Besides, there are acts and constitutional provisions including Article 371-D for implementing local reservations. The Seemandhra rulers had changed several zonal posts as State posts and district posts as zonal posts to facilitate employees from their regions occupy the posts. We also plan to meet the Kamalanathan Committee to apprise it our concerns.
Coming back to politics, how do you see the hopes of parties which opposed statehood to Telangana to win seats in the region
People know the true colours of all parties. I believe they will show such parties their place.
Will the TJAC support the candidates who took active part in the agitation and fielded by parties which have also made room for betrayers of the movement
We are yet to discuss that aspect, but will certainly take a decision on it.
How do you interpret the hopes of former Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy who says there is every possibility of the two Telugu-speaking States getting united again as had happened with Germanies
There is no comparison between the case of Germany and Telangana. We know how much people’s support Mr. Reddy is left with now.
Can people expect a political role for Prof. Kodandaram
I have already spoken enough on the issue in the past and have nothing new to say.
What role will the TJAC play, now that the struggle for statehood is over
The demand for statehood has never been just for the administrative purpose. It has always been for self-rule, self-respect and control and ownership over the local resources that were being exploited by capitalists from Seemandhra. So, TJAC’s struggle is not yet over. By playing the role of a watchdog, we want to continue creating awareness among people about their rights on resources and put pressure on the rulers to resolve problems including creating employment opportunities. We want the parties to rise to the hopes of the people.
Will TJAC strive for unity among all sections in the reconstruction of Telangana as it did during the movement
Why not, we try to involve everyone in our quest to ensure equal rights to people on resources.
What kind of electoral verdict you think the people will give, fractured or clear, in Telangana now
I firmly believe that they are mature enough to give a verdict that suits their needs, keeping in mind the injustices and sufferings they underwent in the governments led by the Seemandhra rulers.
How will the TJAC protect the interests of Telangana in the distribution of employees, pensioners, assets and liabilities
In case of employees and pensioners, we want the Kamalanathan Committee to keep in mind the violations pointed out by the Girglani Commission. Besides, there are acts and constitutional provisions including Article 371-D for implementing local reservations. The Seemandhra rulers had changed several zonal posts as State posts and district posts as zonal posts to facilitate employees from their regions occupy the posts. We also plan to meet the Kamalanathan Committee to apprise it our concerns.
Coming back to politics, how do you see the hopes of parties which opposed statehood to Telangana to win seats in the region
People know the true colours of all parties. I believe they will show such parties their place.
Will the TJAC support the candidates who took active part in the agitation and fielded by parties which have also made room for betrayers of the movement
We are yet to discuss that aspect, but will certainly take a decision on it.
How do you interpret the hopes of former Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy who says there is every possibility of the two Telugu-speaking States getting united again as had happened with Germanies
There is no comparison between the case of Germany and Telangana. We know how much people’s support Mr. Reddy is left with now.
Can people expect a political role for Prof. Kodandaram
I have already spoken enough on the issue in the past and have nothing new to say.
