Separate statehood for Telangana.. What if formed?

I have been thinking of posting on the subject of recent developments in the state of Andhra Pradesh for quite sometime but couldn't find all the time the subject needs. I am one of those who think it doesn't matter as much even if the separate state is formed but the drama that has been on display in the last few months is a reassurance to the thinking that our political leadership has nothing in mind other than power. One party after another and leader after leader showed what it means for them one way or the other. All this was in the works but erupted within 100 days after the death of YSR. Yes! Of course! Congress leaders from Telangana had no control of anything when YSR was leading but became increasingly powerful at national level with YSR out of their way. Now, Telangana leaders from all parties are united and also there have been some understanding between Congress and TRS in the closed doors. KCR started or staged his agitation with full support from Telengana Congress leaders and some leaders from Telangana region even went on to reason that KCR worked as a colleague in earlier Govt and they by all means want to save him from loosing his life. Really? Because he had worked with the Congress, they want to save his life. Isn't that a testimony to where Congress ranks loyalty?

I was thinking of publishing all of the major events that unfolded in this latest campaign for separate statehood just for some historical perspective but I couldn't get to convert the draft to final post in reasonable time. Here is a brief summary of major events.

27th Nov'09 - Greater Election Results - Congress wins 52, TDP - 45, MIM - 43, BJP - 5, PRP - 4 and Independents - 4. {Side note - TRS decides not to contest after long deliberations. Needs no analysis to conclude that TRS needs to do something after the results, if it wants to remain as a notable party in the region.}

28th Nov'09 - KCR discusses with TRS leaders on the move to "Fast unto Death" campaign for separate statehood

30th Nov'09 - KCR gets arrested in Siddipet while leading a rasta-roko and police transfer him to Khammam

1st Dec'09 - KCR is given juice by Doctors and the picture gets flashed in all regional TV channels, which create anger amongst OU student unions and unions threaten to take up the cause for Telangana themselves. TRS is worried that they loose the credibility if student unions take over and KCR announces to continue the indefinite hunger strike.

7th Dec'09 - CM, Rosaiah, meets KCR and requests him to call off the strike

9th Dec'09 - Doctors announce that KCR's health has worsened and make an announcement that they can do nothing to improve his health condition. National level leadership intensifies discussions and lobbying continues for centre's intervention in the matter.

10th Dec'09 - Home Minister, Chidambaram, makes an announcement that Assembly will pass resolution and also requests state government to drop all cases booked, during the 2-week long campaign, against all TRS leaders, students and others. KCR calls off hunger strike and his son and daughter make appearances in media to explain that KCR is responding well and will appear as soon as he becomes fit to do so.

11th Dec'09 - Rayalaseema and Andhra MLAs submit resignations and go on strike in many parts of coastal and seema regions

13th Dec'09 - KCR talks to his friend, well known media person, Burkha Dutt and clarifies that state resolution is not necessary for the formation of state and praises Sonia and PM for their leadership {side note - Praise is more for saving his life and of course the political life}

14th Dec'09 - Lagadapati sees an opportunity become leader of Congress and makes an announcement to go on strike for Samaikhandhra and later in the day gets arrested in Hyderabad Intl Airport

16th Dec'09 - Jagan joins TDP MPs in Loksabha in supporting Samaikhandhra and clarifies later on that he joined TDP only because he couldn't let TDP take credit for Samaikhandhra movement. Congress leaders from Telangana openly criticise Jagan and wants Jagan punished by high command for joining TDP MPs in Loksabha.

17th Dec'09 - Chiranjeevi joins Samaikhandhra movement and 2 PRP MLAs from Telangana region submit resignations and decide to float PRP Telangana party.

21st Dec'09 - Lagadapati escapes from General Hospital, Vijayawada and seen running into NIMS hospital after getting out of an autorikshaw. The 2-day drama is staged by Lagadapati to prove to the people that hunger strikes in the modern times is not difficult by any means.

23rd Jan'10 - JAC (Joint Action Committee) is formed for separate Telangana and Prof. Kodandaram unanimously gets elected as its leader and all parties join hands with JAC to intensify the campaign for Telangana

5th Jan'10 - Centre discusses with representatives from 8 political parties for consensus on the issue of separate statehood and releases a statement that due consultations would follow.

13th Jan'10 - Kavitha (daughter of KCR), who was known for running beauty saloons in Hyderabad now gets into political groove and announces a boycott of upcoming Jr. NTR starrer, Adurs, in Telengana region, stating producers of movie and Jr. NTR's dad (Harikrishna) are for United Andhra. Producers go ahead with the release of movie and question the authority of Kavitha. Kavitha gets elevated as Leader of Telangana Jagruthi, a social sector organization as per their website (http://telanganajagruthi.org/)

15th Jan'10 - Movie producers insure the movie and save themselves from incurring losses and also accuse Kavitha of sending mediators with a demand for 2 Cr. from producers.

28th Jan'10 - Mr. Chidambaram announces that a committee would be formed to study the issue in detail and submit its report and JAC organizes marches against the announcement

3rd Feb'10 - Home ministry announces the Committee of 5 members, lead by Mr Justice B N Srikrishna to study the separate state demand

12th Feb'10- Central Govt. announces 7 point Terms of Reference of Srikrishna Committee on Telangana issue and also requests committee to submit its report by 31st Dec'10.

16th Feb'10 - Congress withdraws support to JAC, stating that JAC is acting on the orders of KCR and his family

13th Mar'10 - JAC expels TDP in all well knowing that TDP is all set to go out of JAC. TDP sites that KCR is busy maligning TDP and its leadership and ignoring Congress, which in their opinion created the situation as exists.

Sri Krishna committee continues to gather different material on the state of affairs after the formation of separate Andhra Pradesh and assures that the report would be submitted on time. All political parties have met the committee and submitted their views and recommendations.

In the entire campaign, more than 300 people committed suicides across Telengana region and Politicians in Telangana are only responsible for this madness. Politicians in their speeches called for sacrifices and poor (literally, poor) students responded hoping that their deaths will bring separate statehood and their lives will turn around. I wondered how suicide killers are motivated at times but this episode in one way made me to understand how easy it is for some cults (politicians in this case) to play with the sensibilities of poor youngsters at a level that ultimately makes them to put an end to their own life.

I should also mention the role of Congress in this whole episode. They committed to separate Telangana in the CMP of UPA-I but didn't bother to even attempt anything for or against in their first term. UPA-II did not take up anything and caused this mess to take place in the very first place and then adding to all the misery, they under estimated the possible reactions and unprepared to the challenges before making poorly structured statements.

Other national parties, BJP pledged again for separate Telangana where as CPI and CPM at state level are not in agreement with their leaders at national level. Regional parties on the other hand are in a very bad fix. TDP wants to be a formidable party in both the regions irrespective of future developments. PRP doesn't have as much strength but are marching for United Andhra and I am deeply sad at Loksatta's leadership on this subject. I was all for Loksatta launching itself as a political party but in my view, JP did not play any role to turn events from one direction to another in this entire debate. JP's vague responses on what should be the response of Govt. and other complex questions during this entire 6-7 months time strengthened the popular belief that he is still a bureaucrat than a politician and I do not see himself transforming anytime.

So far, the camapaign has caused so much pain to the people of Hyderabad in particular but we as Indians pick up our lives and move on. We have got so used to all of it and nothing affects us anymore.

Finally, what if the separate state is formed? In my personal opinion, nothing worst happens to the people of Andhra Pradesh. The checks and balances in the system take care of many things but some politicians in both regions can gain more control of the system, which means more dividends to them. New politicians would emerge in the new state in particular and would rob as much as they can. India has seen such politicians emerge in recent times and this new state would be no exception to creating some in its credit. I have nothing to believe that the final solution would be unfair to either side. Central Govt. has experience with creation of new states in the last decade and I am sure it can create an acceptable separate Telangana state as well. Some have been arguing that people from Andhra would not be tolerated in Telengana state but my question is, is it possible in a democracy like India? Telangana still has to operate under the Indian constitution and state will have to be responsible, answerable and accountable to constitution, people, courts and many more in the system. So, for people to fear any bias, is baseless if not ludicrous.

I fear nothing for whatever happens but warn people of both regions to find democratic ways to protest and do not fall prey to the politicians.