Know the history first!

With a laid up intention, few groups of people have been comparing KCR, the Chief Minister of Telangana with Adolf Hitler, the top leader of the Nazi Party. I personally opine that when something is said or talked about, it should be associated with proper rationalisation. Is it not so? I wonder how many people properly know about Hitler and KCR. Before I put forward my version, I would like to give an introduction about these two leaders, in the manner I understood them through the literature I read over a long period of my scholastic life.

Hitler followed the “Leader Principle" as his asserted way of administration. The mentioned principle relied on total obedience of all subordinates to their superiors; thus he viewed the government structure as a pyramid, with himself—the watertight leader, at the peak. In this model, Rank in the party was not determined by elections; and the positions were filled through appointment by those holding higher ranks. Their only obligation was unthinking obedience to the will of the leader.

Contradictory orders to his subordinates and to place them into positions where their duties and responsibilities overlapped with those of others, to have "the stronger one undertakes the job" was is the key aspect in Hitler's leadership style. The ultimate aim was to promote fostered distrust, competition, and infighting among his subordinates to consolidate and maximise his own power.

History reveals the fact that his cabinet never met after 1938, and he dejected his ministers from meeting separately. One more important thing about Hitler’s administration was – he never gave written orders. Instead of that he communicated them verbally, or had them conveyed through his close associate - Martin Bormann. Everything including his paperwork, appointments, and personal finances was entrusted to Bormann. In other words Bormann used his position to control the flow of information and access to Hitler.

During World II, Hitler dominated his country's war effort to a greater extent than any other national leader. He assumed the role of supreme commander of the armed forces during 1938, and subsequently made all major decisions regarding Germany's military strategy. Hitler's leadership became increasingly detached from veracity as the war turned against Germany, with the military's defensive strategies often caught up by his slow decision making and frequent directives to hold shaky positions.

Nevertheless, Hitler continued to believe that only his leadership could deliver victory. In the final months of the war Hitler refused to consider peace negotiations, regarding the complete destruction of Germany as preferable to surrender. The military did not challenge Hitler's dominance of the war effort, and senior officers generally supported and enacted his decisions.

Both Hitler's actions and Nazi ideology are universally regarded as gravely immoral. As viewed by a great historian Ian Kershaw: "Never in history has such ruination—physical and moral—been associated with the name of one man". Also, according to R.J. Rummel, the Nazi regime was responsible for the democidal killing of an estimated 19.3 million civilians and prisoners of war.

From the other end, Kalvakunta Chandrasekhar Rao alias KCR has taken oath as the first Chief Minister of Telangana on the formation day of Telangana state, on June 2. He was born on February 17, 1954 in Chintamadaka village, Siddipet Mandal in Medak District of the erstwhile Hyderabad State in an agrarian family. He obtained Masters Degree (M.A) in Telugu Literature from O.U Arts College - Osmania University, Hyderabad. KCR started his career with the youth Congress Party in Medak district, controlled by Sanjay Gandhi in the early 70s.

He remained one among many political leaders for a long time in his political career. Nevertheless, he became the prominent leader of Telangana region only after he launched his new political party in April 2001 under the name Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). The party emerged as a revolutionary party with the sole aim of getting statehood for Telangana.

KCR has been known for his own way of getting the things done. Unlike many politicians who never dare to offer resignations to their existing portfolios, KCR had sacrificed his portfolios many times, to put forward the aspirations of the Telangana people. He tried all possible ways of getting Telangana carved out of in a friendly environment and tied up alliance with different parties at different instances that were otherwise abiding by the formation of Telangana.

November 29, 2009, on the historic day of Telangana, KCR went on an indefinite strike for the cause of statehood for Telangana. On the 11th day of his hunger strike, the Centre has come down to announce the initiation of the process of formation of Telangana. The then Union Home Minister has officially announced the same on December 9, 2009 night. With the dramatic resignation episode of the leaders from the other part of the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh state, the Centre had to revoke its decision on December 23, 2009. Thereafter so many things happened in a sequence and ultimately it was on July 30, 2013, the AICC Working committee has given its nod for the formation of Telangana.

The final chapter started on that day and amidst so much of commotions and other happenings in the state as well as in the Centre, it was on Feb 20, 2014 the Andhra Pradesh reorganisation bill was passed in either house of the Parliament. Following the official announcement of statehood for Telangana, the announcement of General Elections was also made.

There is no second thought in stating that there is no similarity in the leadership style of Hitler and KCR. Both the leaders have their own way and ideology and stood up for their beliefs. Fighting for a cause within the judicial limits is never immoral as such. Yes, if something is unlawful, there are courts and judicial institutions to take care of the matter. There is a need to have adequate knowledge about the leadership styles of these two leaders. There exists no similarity. Without having perceptive knowledge of the things, comparing a person who is holding the responsible position of the Chief Minister of a state with Hitler is not fair and is rather wicked. Just think!!