KSR Column: AP CM wants To Keep The Pot Boiling

By Kommineni Srinivasa Rao

It's been three years that the Andhra Pradesh has been divided. Yet, division-related issues still remain unsolved and continue to be festering sores. Who should be blamed for this? The severing of the power supply ties shows that the sibling rivalry between AP and Telangana is here to stay.

Governor of both the states, ESL Narasimhan, has expressed his deep displeasure and rightly so at the bickering of sibling states. Both the states have been sending their ministers to the meetings called by the Governor, but never implemented any decision taken there. It was reported that the Governor himself had said this.

Well! It was expected that there would be problems related to fund allocation, water and electricity distribution among the two states post bifurcation. But, they never deteriorated save for the physical fight among the officials and cops of both the states at Nagarjuna Sagar over water-sharing. This was an isolated case and there weren't many incidents of friction between nascent regional entities.

Hyderabad was to be the common capital for 10 years, but post the Cash for Votes scam, AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has scampered out of Hyderabad lock stock and barrel to save himself from the ignominy of cases and court proceedings. It is also said that this case has helped both the CMs arrive at a tacit compromise of ‘I won’t touch you, you don’t poke me’. Since then on, KCR hasn't spoken about the case. But, both the ruling dispensations are continuing to use sub-regional sentiment to cook their own political broth whenever it suited their interests. They are always on the look out to use these sentiments to extract political mileage and sidetrack real issues.

When Amit Shah talked about fund allocations to Telangana and AP, at least KCR tried to counter him. But, Chandrababu felt silence was golden. Chandrababu did not have any qualms hosting a lunch in honour of the same Amit Shah soon after he announced breaking up of alliance with the TDP in neighbouring Telangana. This is only reflective of the fears and political compulsions of Chandrababu.

Strictly speaking, electricity-sharing is not a problem has doesn't have a solution. It could be solved through talks. Till now, Telangana managed its power supply issues as it was getting power from other states. Now there are tensions over power sharing and snapping of power ties by AP, did not go well with the TRS Government in Hyderabad.

Chandrababu has already spent over Rs 1,000 crore rupees in the name of temporary capital at Amaravati. He has spent crores in government buildings, guest houses and camp offices. He had also demanded that Section 8 of the AP Bifurcation Bill be implemented in Hyderabad and AP police be deployed in Hyderabad too. Now, the TDP leaders have stopped talking about it.

Now, they have no interest in Hyderabad, but continue to keep Assembly and secretariat with themselves. The reasons for this are unknown. Also, a lot of issues pertaining to division of the common assets under schedule IX and X are still pending. As per estimates, AP could incur a loss of Rs 25000 crore if and when this division is done. But, the AP Government has not mustered up courage to take the Centre to task on this. We do not know when these issues get sorted out.

Both the CMs are now pally with each other. KCR attended the AP capital inauguration, while Chandrababu was present at KCR’s Yagam. Both are attending the dinners hosted by the Governor. Given this bonhomie, why are they not addressing these issues? Are they keeping these issues alive so that they can use them as weapons to incite regional sentiments?

One thing is clear! Keeping issues pending and controversies alive will do no good to either CMs. It is time they sit across the table and solve pending issues.