Exclusive Story: The Politics Behind The Jagan-Naidu Fasts

By Ramesh Reddy / INN Live

INN Live speaks with K Sreenivas Reddy, former Secretary-General of Indian Journalists Union, on Jagan Mohan Reddy and Chandrababu Naidu's fast following the decision on bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and creation of Telangana. 

Following cabinet clearance on the formation of Telangana, both Jagan Mohan Reddy and Chandrababu Naidu went on a hunger strike. While Jagan has accused Naidu of being hand in glove with the Congress, Naidu says that it is actually Jagan who has got a secret understanding with the Congress, which is probably why he got out on bail. How do you view these political developments?
Both Jaganmohan Reddy and Chandrababu Naidu have taken a complete U-turn in this affair. Initially Jagan had taken a favourable stand on the bifurcation of the state but now he has taken an open stand for a united Andhra. And despite sharing a similar stand, Naidu has not openly said if he is for bifurcation or not. Till today, Naidu’s stand is only confined to the letter sent to the Government of India where he asked for the bifurcation of the state.

Jagan’s bail seems to have come at a time which gives him a window big enough to canvass for his party. What do you have to say on that?
I don’t think so. When Jagan approached the Supreme Court for his bail, the SC had asked the CBI how much time they needed to file the chargesheet. The CBI had then stated a duration of three months till September. But yet another extension was given after September. CBI had been given two extensions in fact. In my opinion, they should not take further time in filing the chargesheets.

As far as the politics of these fasts are concerned, what would this really lead to? And who would benefit the most politically?
Even before taking such a contradictory stance, Jagan had rallied people’s support against the Congress party in the state, particularly in the Andhra and Telangana area.  After taking this U-turn, the Telangana leaders resigned from their party and joined the regional parties. In terms of beneficiaries, Congress is at the third, pitiable position. The primary gainer is YSR Congress, followed by TDP. Both of them are fooling the people as far as the present crisis – splitting of the state – is concerned. At this point, both know that they have no strength to stop the bifurcation of the state. They can neither make the state government change its mind about the plan nor can they get the BJP to support this.

Post the bifurcation and with the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, how do you see the political fortunes of the different parties in both the regions, Telangana and the rest of Andhra?
If the bifurcation goes smoothly, the TRS has openly said that it will merge with the Congress. And if they merge, then naturally the Congress will gain positive votes from the Telangana region. Whereas in the rest of Andhra, the YSR Congress will have an edge. The Congress, I think, will be a poor third.

Finally, in the post-election scenario, how would you view Jagan’s prospects as far as aligning with other political parties is concerned?
No party has so far come forward to align with the YSR Congress. Four or five months after splitting of the state and when the separate operations of the state commence, it will be difficult to gauge the permutations and combinations of the political parties. But as of now Jagan is alone. As far as Telangana area is concerned, Jagan looks to be a poor third, TDP second and Congress first. Another possibility might be that the BJP and TDP form an alliance. But YSR Congress will be nowhere in the Telangana area.

In a press conference on 7 October, Naidu alleged that Congress president Sonia Gandhi actually went ahead with the Telangana decision to ensure her son becomes the next prime minister. In this context, how do you see the Congress’ decision to bifurcate the state?
This is absolute nonsense. The Telangana issue is almost six decades old. In 2004, the TDP fought for a united Andhra. But in 2009, a committee was formed with the senior leaders of the TDP which took a comprehensive survey over three months and came to a conclusion that people are indeed prepared for bifurcation and are demanding a separate state. Then they gave a statement and supported the bifurcation of the state. So now what is unfolding is heights of political opportunism, nothing less than that.