V. Subrahmanyam
After me the deluge, this is no France nor is there any King Louis XV, but the exit of Dr YS Rajasekhar Reddy (there was a virtual deluge during and after his death in a helicopter crash), things were never the same in Andhra Pradesh. The year has seen a slew of unpleasant upheavals as the political canvas was littered with uncertainty, apprehensions, turmoil, turn-arounds, polarisation of political equations and more trouble. Chief Minister K Rosaiah had lost control, cool and patience in the hot seat as things were slipping out of his hands; administration, or the lack of it, raised many distasteful situations.

Pressure of Telangana on one hand, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy staking claim for his father’s services to the State, Ministers, Congress leaders showing scant respect to the old man were a bagful of woes he was unwillingly carrying. Finally the High Command obliged him while TRS was rising its pitch on Telanagana, industry threatening to move out, cabinet ministers going awry and YS Jaganmohan Reddy raising the banner of revolt defying party orders and touring the state to organise people and test the waters for floating a new party. Reddy lobby was upset with Rosaiah and alleged that he was promoting Kamma lobby which finally led his exit and in the inimitable Congress style, a one line resolution authorised the High Command to name the successor. Like a rabbit from the magician’s hat, Speaker Kiran Kumar Reddy was chosen. Young blood, Reddy and from Rayalaseema can balance Jagan factor- thought the ‘wise heads’ in Delhi. Kriran, the cricketer, played no innings at the Cabinet, he was an umpire when elected speaker and twelfth man when he was chief whip earlier. Dame Luck smiled and he was named captain. Before going to the field (Assembly), he had to face many bouncers at the nets which he ducked carefully wearing the helmet given by High Command. Opposition parties suddenly became active and the political atmosphere electrified as the bid for assertions started with TDP, TRS, Left and BJP laying in wait to pounce on the inexperienced chief minister pushing him to the back foot. His own ministers and MLAs created a few embarrassing moments for him and he had to prove that his running between the wickets (from Delhi to Hyderabad) was good. While Sri Krishna committee was due to give its report on its observations on separate Telangana this year end, there was another deluge which left the farmers soak in troubled waters. TDP lost no time in cashing in on the opportunity and fired with all cylinders as Chandrababu Naidu went on fast-unto-death demanding a better package for farmers and could muster support from all the national leaders. The sudden switch of spot light took TRS and Jagan by surprise as they had to postpone their plans of mass agitation by a few months. Eventually Chandrababu relented and Centre announced a package and the year end did not go on expected lines at least for TRS which planned to pep up the atmosphere as it has done the previous year and Jagan who wanted to go on fast-unto-death and consolidate his position. The script was prepared in Delhi for most of the political events of the State. Kiran’s new cabinet inducted YS Vivekananda Reddy, younger brother of Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy, who stood firmly with the Congress. The family rift was blown out of proportions in media and he settled things offering a Christmas cake to Jagan. But things are not that simple. It is Vivekananda Reddy who is the agriculture minister and his portfolio stands exposed with the recent dharnas and alleged suicide of farmers. TDP has been trying all the tricks in its bag to tarnish the pro-farmers image of Congress. The year had seen the consolidation of NTR family with Chandrababu Naidu’s son Lokesh and Actor Balakrishna’s daughter Brahmani, the man and wife, making political debut by coming to the hunger strike camp anhospital to see Naidu while he was on fast. This is a leaf straight from YS Rajasekhar Reddy’s book. His family went to see him while he fell sick during his padayatra before 2004 polls. On the whole chaos and uncertainty ruled the state during the year.