Is the TRS Stand on Koluvula Kotlata Proper? 

Kommineni Srinivasa Rao

The youth of Telangana showed up in large numbers for Koluvula Kotlata, the meet for addressing the problems faced by the unemployed. In truth, Kodandaram has no network worth the name. He does not have any resources either. The fact that people were not paid to gather there and yet such a large number of youth congregated in Saroor Nagar grounds is something worth noting. Though TRS leaders have been maintaining that Koluvula Kotlata was a flop show and that the the Saroor Nagar session was full of empty chairs, they seem to have been rattled by the response to the meet. A TRS leader remarked off-the-record that a JAC meet drawing as many people as it did, is a matter of concern. It needs to be borne in mind that this was despite police restrictions on the meet.

The police should have given its nod to the JAC when Kodandaram sought its permission for the meet. Instead, he was forced to approach the court. After the court’s intervention, the meet was allowed subject to a host of conditions. It is speculated that nearly 2000 people who were planning to attend the meeting, were taken into custody. But how many people were arrested is not the point. Preventing people from attending the rally is seen as a sign of the government's weakness, a hint that the authorities felt uncomfortable at some level.

After all, in a democracy, people enjoy the right to protest. Both TRS activists as well as JAC activists undertook many kinds of agitation during the Telangana movement, with or without permission. One would expect KCR to be far-sighted in his governance. Sadly, the TRS and KCR are unable to stomach any criticism or tolerate any form of protest. In fact, it is commonly perceived that KCR, as a leader has no opposition. Such acts don't help his image and bring him no credit.

KTR earned a good name for himself during GES 2017. But such actions of the TRS government right after the event are taking the sheen off his image. Can the government offer 1,00,000 jobs is another question altogether. TRS leaders can air their views on this matter in a democratic manner. If they take an autocratic approach to the issue simply because they have power and authority, that would be tantamount to insulting the spirit of the Telangana movement. This is something they need to realise. To accuse Kodandaram of fighting for a koluvu, implying he was seeking a position, as TRS MP Balka Suman and Whip Palla Rajeswara Reddy suggested through their criticism, is baseless. Let us ignore the question of whether Kodandaram is seeking a position for himself. Those in power enjoying all the frills that go authority, trying to keep others out, makes it a laughable matter.

In a democracy, power vests with the people. This is something worth remembering. Those who praised Kodandaram during the Telangana movement are now critical of him, and those who stood by him are now creating obstacles in his way. While they call it Bangaru or Golden Telangana, Kodandaram calls it an undemocratic state. Kodandaram has been able to garner support from all other parties, but criticism from the TRS and the impediments put in his way for holding a public meet are clear examples of a sense of weakness as far as the ruling party is concerned. As the political party in power, the TRS should be able to take on Kodandaram politically. In politics, one may win or lose elections, but it is essential to keep the democratic spirit intact. Shedding that sense of democratic approach bodes ill for any party, be it the TRS or any other political entity.