INDIAN POLITICS: March 2009

Hardly 28 days are left for the First phase of poll, and a grim and fluid political situation persists in the country. No political party is poised to get at lease simple majority either in Lok Sabha or in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly. We have witnessed this type of fluid situation many times in the National poll scenario. But in the State of Andhra Pradesh it is first of its kind of situation in 53 years of State history. Till now picture is very clear before the elections itself and it is easier to predict which party will win the popular vote and form the new government. But this time the situation is entirely different. The ruling party is banking on its 5 years performance and the opposition parties are campaigning against the corruption and mismanagement of the state resources.
Previously there are two main parties –Congress and Telugu Desam- are used to be on the fore front of the election scenario in the state. Even though some other National parties like BJP, CPI, CPM are also there in the state, their vote bank is restricted to some pockets only. Hence they never posed a big challenge either Congress or to TDP. Besides they acted as allies in some previous elections to Congress or TDP. But this time a new entity with a strong footing –Prajarajyam- has entered the fray and preparing to give a big fight to both the parties. The party founded by popular actor Mr.Chiranjeevi, is trying to field its candidates in all constituencies. This will pose a big challenge to both Congress and TDP in many constituencies. The communist parties which are allies of congress in the previous election deserted it and joined hands with TDP to defeat the ruling party. TDP along with both the communist parties –CPI, CPM- and Telangana Rastra Samithi headed by K.Chandrasekhararao formed a big alliance named Maha Kutami to give a unified fight the Congress in the election. One more party with a popular support Loksatta, is also testing it's fortune in the Assembly Elections. It was founded by former IAS officer and crusader against corruption Mr.Jayaprakash Narayan. Till now it an organisation fighting against the mal practices and corruption in the elections. Now it is also poised to fight elections on the promise of giving transperant and cleaner administration. Hence there seems to be the multi party contests in many of the constituencies.

Telangana Sentiment
Telangana sentiment is also very strong in the state this time. Three political parties which were formed on Telangana sentiment are on the stage till few days back. The main crusader for the cause of Telangana people and Separate Telangana state is TRS. Thalli Telangana, the other party founded by the actress Vijayasanthi recently merged with TRS to give tough fight to congress in the Telangana region and also to fight for their common goal. The other party is Nava Telangana Party which is formed on the same Telangana sentiment. It's founder Mr.Devendargoud, a former TDP minister merged his party recently with Prajarajyam. Till date the ruling Congress is undecided on the issue of Telangana. But the TDP and Prajarajyam already recognised the Telangana sentiment and declared their willingness to form separate state if they come to power.

Congress edge
The ruling Congress party is fighting elections on its own strength and it is banking its performance at the centre and the state since last 5 years. The UPA government headed by Dr.Manmohan Singh implementing many schemes for the benefit of the down trodden and neglected masses. The UPA government is implementing Bharat Nirman Project prestigiously with an outlay of 1.76 lakhs crores. Under this programme which is scheduled to be completed by 2009 the government is undertaking Irrigation, Roads, Water Supply, Housing, Rural Electrification and Rural telephony projects. All these schemes if completed by the scheduled time the infrastructure will be strengthened. It is providing irrigation, electricity facilities to give a fillip to the agriculture sector. It is constructing roads and providing telephone facilities to the villages under these programmes which will improve rural connectivity. Under housing sector it is constructing houses to the rural house holds under Indira Awas Yojana and providing shelter to rural landless labourers. The government is also implementing National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme for the benefit of the rural labourers. Under this programme the government is providing 100 days guaranteed employment for them. All these programmes are being implemented in Andhra Pradesh also alongwith the entire country. Besides the Andhra Pradesh Government under the able leadership of Dr.Y.S.Rajasekhar Reddy implementing many other prestigious projects for the benefit of the rural folk. Dr. Reddy started Jala Yajnam to provide irrigation and safe drinking water facilities to the rural areas. He had taken up major irrigation projects like Polavaram. The Rajiv Arogyasri project to provide medical facilities to all the people below the poverty line is a big hit. It is also implementing mid day meal scheme on a big scale to attract children towards the elementary education and to reduce the dropout percentage in education. All these programmes are paying good devedends to the government and it is confident of getting people mandate towards congress again.

Fighting against corruption
Undoubtedly there is an edge for Congress in the state and for UPA at the centre. But the burning issues like Telangana pose a big threat to the ruling Congress party. The state is divided between the popularity of three leaders ie. Dr.Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy, Mr. N.Chandrababu Naidu and Chiranjeevi. The TDP under the leadership of Mr. Chandrababu Naidu formed Maha Kutami with the like minded parties and started relentless campaign against the corruption in the burocracy. The TDP is also in the forefront in election scenario and already declared its election manifesto which promised many schemes for the benefit of the rural folk. The party also changed its stand on the Telangana issue and promised to give separate state if it comes to power. It has also landed Young Hero Junior NTR as its main campaigner for the elections. He started his campaign from Northern corner of AP and proceeding towards central AP. He is not only attracting big crowds due to his cinema glamour but also launched tirade against the policies of Dr.Reddy’s government. Undoubtedly his campaign will have a negative impact on the electoral fortunes of the Congress. On the other side another popular hero from the Nandamuri family Mr.Balakrishna and Chandrababu himself started furious campaign against the Government. Mr.Chiranjeevi, Mr. Pawankalyan, Dr.Jayaprakash Narayan started their campaign for the elections. Telangana parties are criticizing the policy of the State Government on the Telangana issue and trying to cash on the sentiment of the people. On the Congress side the campaign is not yet started. Anyhow in the coming days the campaign will gain momentum and the people will decide the fortunes of the parties which are coming to their door step to get votes. But the present situation is very fluid and it is a never before scene on the state’s election front.

Poll Schedule
The state is going to polls in less than 30 days. The people of the Andhra Pradesh are to elect their representatives for 42 Lok Sabha constituencies and 294 Assembly constituencies. The fist phase of election will be held on April 16 for 22 Parliamentary constituencies and the Assembly constituencies under the jurisdiction of those Parliamentary
Constituencies in Telangana and Northern AP regions. The second phase will be held on April 23 in the remaining 20 Parliamentary constituencies situated in Southen coast and Rayalaseema areas and the Assembly constituencies under their jurisdiction.

Long Process
India is the world’s largest Democracy. There are 28 States and 7 Union Territories. It had 543 Lok Sabha Constituencies. Conducting General Elections in such a big country is very challenging. Election Commission on March 2nd announced 76 day long Election Schedule for the 15th Lok Sabha. Elections will be in 5 phases between April 16 to May 13. First phase of Lok Sabha election polling will be held on 16 April and it will end in 5 phases. Last and 5th phase of polling will be held on 13th May. Counting of votes will be held on 16th May and results will be declared on the same day. New government will take charge by the 3rd week of May. Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Sikkim assembly elections are also scheduled to be held simultaneously. Andhra Pradesh is a key state where 42 Parliamentary and 294 Assembly constituencies are situated.