Needed: A resolve, not just resolution

It’s surprising. It’s more tactical than seriously political. It’s rather theatrical for a government to pilot a resolution in the State legislature, urging the Centre to implement the Andhra Pradesh State Reorganisation Act and the assurances given on the eve of passing the Act. In fact, the Centre is constitutionally and politically mandated to do so. But the State legislature has had to pass a resolution even to make the Centre do so. In a way, this resolution is a political indictment of the Centre for its ‘apathy and antipathy’ towards the people of Andhra Pradesh.

It is lack of a political sagacity as the NDA-led State government led a legislature resolution, urging the NDA-led Central government to honour the commitments made by a Parliamentary Act under the Articles 3 and 4 of the Constitution of India. The argument that the Special Status was not part of the Act is preposterous. The people of Telangana saw a glorious future in the bifurcation of the State, while the Seemandhra people considered it as disastrous for their interests.

Then came the assurance of Special Status. It was initiated by the present rulers while in opposition, and was promised by the present opposition while in power. Thus, the very bifurcation of the State was predicated upon the assurance of Special Status. Now, the Centre’s search for technicalities to renege on its parliamentary assurance is nothing but a betrayal.

The entire political system of Andhra Pradesh is culpable for its hypocrisy. The Congress did not include the Special Status in the Act itself. None of the opposition parties asked for its inclusion. The NDA government amended the Reorganisation Act to transfer the mandals to be submerged in Polavaram from Telangana to Andhra Pradesh. But, why can’t the Modi dispensation effect a similar amendment to the Act to accord Special Status to Andhra Pradesh? Why don’t political parties demand such an amendment now?

At least, the State would immensely benefit, if the Centre shares its profit gas from KG Basin with Andhra Pradesh as per the recommendation of the 12th Finance Commission. A concrete action to realise the promises made to the State or concrete alternative measures would benefit the people of Andhra Pradesh. But, the political parties continue to be obsessed with the slugfest to serve their narrow political purposes.

It’s demeaning to see the legislators belonging to the TDP and the BJP, the partners in government, taking diametrically opposite stands on the Centre’s attitude towards the State. The Opposition is obviously rubbing salt into the wound. Jaganmohan Reddy is quick to demand the withdrawal of TDP from the NDA. Such a divorce between the TDP and the BJP may benefit YSR Congress, but not the people of the State.

Before putting such a demand before TDP, the YSR Congress should clarify whether it intends to join the NDA in the wake of TDP exit. The State needs a political resolve; a mere resolution does not suffice. The Chief Minister, empowered by the resolution passed by the legislature, should lead an all-party delegation to the Prime Minister.