The real decision on Telangana will be made only when the Congress manages to sort out issues regarding its future in the region and also an alliance with the TRS, reports Vicky Nanjappa.
Many in Telangana are eagerly waiting for January 27, as the Union home ministry is expected to make a decision on the separate statehood demand. While the earlier indications were that Telangana will be formed, the current scenario is filled with confusion as contradictory statements are coming from different quarters.
While the Union government does believe that at some point or the other a decision regarding a separate state should be taken, the crucial point that is causing the delay is regarding the credit.
On the political front, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti has been spearheading the movement. The TRS does find itself in a win-win situation at the moment and would stand to gain whether there is a decision or not.
The Congress, on the other hand, feels that it should be able to make good of the situation and take the entire credit if the state is formed as it does realise that its electoral chances in the Seema-Andhra region is very bleak.
Four months back, when TRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao met with the Congress high command, he was offered a merger with the Congress.
Sources close to him said that he had agreed to the same, but sought some time before he could take a decision. However, on his return to Hyderabad and following a meeting with his party workers, he was told that he did not have much benefit if he merged his party with the Congress.
He was given to understand that the Congress would not part with much and at the most he would be offered a Cabinet berth. He was also given to understand that once the merger took place and if there was a state announced then the entire credit would be with the Congress.
Rao was also told that the people of Telangana would still vote for the TRS in case the state is formed as many feel that he is the one who spearheaded the movement when none were even speaking of it.
On the other hand he was also told that if Telangana is not announced, he would still be the biggest winner as he would ride that wave during the elections yet again.
The Congress on the other hand does realise that their biggest opponent in Telangana is the TRS party and only if there is a merger will their electoral fortunes look up.
KCR is clearly not happy with just one Union Cabinet berth and would seek much more in case he merges his party. The Congress on the other hand does realise that giving away too much to KCR would mean that they play second fiddle in Telangana and also would anger their leaders from the region.
Many in Andhra Pradesh feel that there is a likelihood of some more delay regarding Telangana and things would be clear only once this deal with the TRS is sorted out.
A month back there was no doubt in the mind of the Congress regarding handing over Telangana. Many of the leaders from Andhra Pradesh who met with Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde were told that the state would be formed.
However, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad’s statement two days back has brought out the confusion once again.
The Congress has been giving out reasons regarding law and order problems if Telangana is formed. Sources say that even the Shinde now feels that some more time should be taken before any announcement is made.
The fact, however, remains that there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes regarding the political alliances and only once this is cleared out will a proper decision be made.
The Union government apart from the various political options is also considering other means to resolve the issue. The question of a Gorkhaland-type of option is ruled out as there would be a backlash in Telangana.
The only two other options would be to divide the state or form a Telangana regional council. Sources, however, point out that the only decision possible is the creation of Telangana.
The real decision will be made only when the Congress manages to sort out issues regarding its future in the region and also an alliance with the TRS.
