TROUBLED STATES

It is more than a mere coincidence that two states in the South ruled by two surviving national parties are in a state of political flux and distress and what is more, there are a number of similarities between the two. Problems of both are self-made; both are suffering from the side effects of uncouth and unabashed display of money power in politics; and for both trouble is not from outside, but from within with groupism ruling the roost. It is difficult to say which is the B-Team of the other is. It used to be said that the BJP is the B-team of the Congress and now when you look at the manner in which the BJP is conducting itself, outbeating the Congress in political morality, you can easily say that the Congress is the B-team of the BJP.

The most vulgar manner in which the Reddy brothers of Bellary are flaunting their well-gotten or ill-gotten wealth to put a government on notice is something unprecedented and next only to the late senior Ambani’s political game during Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure and thereafter, that everyone who is interested in decent public life has to hang his head in shame. It will be a distraction of convenience to attribute political affiliation for such unscrupulous businessmen who use politics as a shield.

Yes, for the moment Bellary brothers are in the BJP. The very same brothers were close confidantes of the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy when he was alive and with whose overt and covert support, they allegedly amassed wealth by means fair or foul in so far as their AP ventures were concerned. Their interests are in both Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, because the mines, geological bounties of nature, do not know geographical boundaries nor do they recognise linguistic boundaries. Hence, their interest is in both the states. Business interest is uppermost in their agenda and not public interest. They invested in BJP in Karnataka and in Congress in AP and we are only witnessing its fallout in both the states today. There are reports that if they are not contained in Karnataka, they may target the AP government which is already tottering.

If the BJP made use of their money power and muscle power in Karnataka, now is the pay-back time for the party. And what they want in return for their support to the party is the head of Yeddiyurappa on a platter. Not because, the Karnataka chief minister swerved from the promises he made to the electorate, but for the simple reason that Yeddiyurappa’s continuance in power is not in their business interest.
If you live by the sword you must be prepared to die as well with the same sword. Yeddiyurappa or his political mentors in Delhi should have known this basic principle when they supped with Reddy brothers. Were the party bosses not aware of the brothers style of politics when the latter were putting the eggs in two rival political outfits at the same time as an insurance for their business. Playing footsie with YSR, they ensured that there was no interference in their business activities in the state. They wanted Yeddiyurappa also turn the other way. But, Yeddiyurappa is no YSR to have mastered the technique of running with the hare and huting with the hound.

Why did Yeddiyurappa not oblige the Bellary brothers, and on the contrary, queered the pitch for a political crisis. It will be foolish to say that political morality made the Karnataka CM to take on the Reddy brothers nor will it be correct to say that the CM wanted to assert his authority. Whatever the reason, here is a stark reality that is staring at all of us. Money power would like to buy over Constitutional power and run the state through its own proxy. Are we going to allow this?

Amidst the dark clouds, the only silver lining is that so far (at the time or writing this piece), the higher ups ensconced in New Delhi have not yielded to money power, but the fact that they are negotiating with those who should never be in politics in the first place is the indicator to the depth to which the party with a difference has descended. The party should have shown the Bellary brothers their place even if it meant sacrifice of power. That would have enhanced the image of the party which has taken a severe beating in the past.

While the neighbouring Karnataka is on the throes of a political crisis induced by money power, Andhra Pradesh is witnessing a crisis of political and administrative authority on account of poverty of leadership and clueless high command. The writ of APCC chief does not run in the party. Except for a handful of rootless wonders, Congress leaders care a damn for the party chief. The Congress chief in the state looks pathetic when he says, after he was snubbed by his own party men rejecting his alliance proposal with PRP, that his party will have a long-term alliance with the beleaguered PRP for 2014.

Andhra Pradesh cabinet has become the theatre of the absurd. Home Minister of the state says that YSR’s son is the only charismatic leader who can provide leadership. Is this not an expression of no confidence in the present head of government? Another minister who was in the forefront of “Jagan Bajan” programme turns around and swears by the present chief minister, when he finds that the latter will have a longer haul. There are reports that the ministers do not attend to their official work and are looking towards Delhi for the final word on leadership. Groupism that was the hallmark of the party in the state in eighties and nineties has staged a comeback with vengeance and it is going to be disastrous for the party. It is this “crab” mindset that prompted APCC chief to come out with an absurd proposal to align with the truncated PRP for the GHMC polls. The present chief minister is unable to inspire confidence among the members of his own cabinet, let alone the rank and file of the party.

If the money power is threatening the very existence of the BJP government in Karnataka, it is a different play of money power in AP which spells doom for the present regime.