By initiating and then calling off an alliance with film star K. Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam for the upcoming polls to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, the Congress party has sent out some confusing signals. In revoking the seat-sharing deal within a day of settling it with a party that fared poorly in the State capital during the 2009 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, the State and central leadership of the ruling party clearly succumbed to pressure tactics from loyalists of Jaganmohan Reddy, Kadappa MP and son of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy. The proposed tie-up, orchestrated by Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee chief D. Srinivas, had the blessings of Chief Minister K. Rosaiah and at least the tacit approval of the party high command. The State leadership was evidently looking for a charismatic campaigner in the Greater Hyderabad region. Following threats issued by Jagan loyalists, the contracted marriage of convenience was cancelled. It is understandable that a bereaved party does not want to lose a prestigious contest just five months after a strong leader led it to a famous victory in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. But that is history.
Although the succession was handled soberly enough and Mr. Rosaiah’s continuance as Chief Minister may not be in question right now, many Congress leaders launched a vitriolic campaign against what they believed was a short-sighted alliance with the film star’s party, which had polled a mere seven per cent in Hyderabad and a little over 16 per cent of the vote in the State. The Jagan camp insists that the Congress cannot possibly benefit from a tie-up with the Praja Rajyam, which they say is free to merge with the Congress. At the heart of the continuing feud are the present role and the future of Jagan. By not involving him in the campaign and thus giving the impression that he was being marginalised, the State leadership only succeeded in complicating the situation. The fact that the Congress Legislature Party has not met even once after Mr. Rosaiah was sworn in as Chief Minister speaks volumes about his wobbly position. After party president Sonia Gandhi met Jagan and he formally agreed to abide by her decision, the high command might have thought it had resolved the crisis in the party’s southern stronghold. The policy of drift has taken a toll on both party and government, with the unassuming Chief Minister unable to rely on many of his Ministers despite repeatedly committing himself to the schemes and legacy of his predecessor. Perhaps, the high command wants to wait for the outcome of the November-end civic poll before taking a final decision. But the damage seems to have been done.
Keywords: Chiranjeevi, Praja Rajyam, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Congress party, Jaganmohan Reddy, Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, confusion
I have voted for YSR , not for Congress. next time I will consider.
Just as the Reddy brothers asserted themselves in Karnataka leading to the BJP capitulating, the YSR (now Jagan) loyalists have begun flexing their muscles after having been given short shrift in the CM race. Party high command has now come to realise that gone are the days when they could be the puppeteers and have the supporters dance to their desire. The power centers are slowly shifting to the hands of the moneybags who have over the years consolidated their position. These moneybags are fully aware that they are only regional masters and therefore need the central leadership's influence across the country. The need thus being mutual, both are obliged to do a delicate tightrope balancing act where the regional satraps seem to be milking the situation for all its worth. In this bargain, the Praja Rajyam Party which hoped to ride on the back of Congress for reviving its dwindling fortunes, appears to have come a cropper.
I am long time supporter of the Congress. I am from AP as well. For the first time in 2004 I was able to proudly say I am supporter of the Congress because of YSR. The Congress high command must take stock of the situation in AP and see that his son is given an important position to at least be at a challenging position in 2014. The whole tie-up drama with PRP was such a grave mistake that it will take a charismatic leader wipe it all off the slate. First, Congress needs to sack PCC president and appoint a young and dynamic person in his place. There should be someone in the State to go around in the State and have mass contact. Right now there is no such leader in the Congress.
Voted YSR not congress. No more vote to congress.
Congress High Command is repeatedly committing a grave mistake by marginalising YS Rajasekhar Reddy's family in Andhra Pradesh politics. By doing this they are burying the strength of the Congress in AP. Whether Congres High Command agrees or disagrees one thing is true, but it is solely due to both Sonia and YS Rajasekhar Reddy factor tht the Congress is strong in Andhra Pradesh. But for YSR in AP there is no UPA government in 2004, he gave 29 MPs for Congress in the Lok Sabha and he contributed some more MPs to Congress in bye elections and by making TDP MPs switch over to Congress during crucial vote on the nuclear deal in Parliament. The Congress high command should never forget these points. I appeal to the Congress high command to wake up and see that YSR family is not continuosuly marginalised in State politics of Andhra Pradesh
Personality-centric party organisation has given rich dividends to the Congress in the past in terms of its unity and consequent stability. Even senior Congress leaders with sizable support in the states had not succeeded in the past in challenging the central leadership. But what is happening in Andhra Pradesh makes one wonder whether the party's organisatioal paradigm is beginning to lose its efficacy. If the party counters this developing situation by making the "high command" still stronger, it will be overlooking the changes that are happening in other tightly knit parties like the BJP and the CPM. Changing with the times is always a desirable policy.
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