After a long gap, Telugu Desam chief N Chandrababu Naidu stepped into Telangana hinterland along with his son Lokesh on Monday and sought to convince the people of the region that it was the late NTR and he who had toiled for the region’s development.
“It was NTR who abolished the patel-patwari system in the Telangana region, ending exploitation of people by doras. It was during my time that development took place on a massive scale,” he claimed.
Naidu’s sudden recollection of the abolition of the patel-patwari system has surprised political observers. According to one observer, Naidu was trying to tell the people of Telangana that if a separate state was created, the patel-patwari system would be back because the patels mostly hailed from Velamas who are leading the Telangana movement now. Naidu was apparently hinting at TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao who belongs to this class, the observer said.
Naidu, utilised the occasion to throw a challenge at the ruling Congress for a debate on how much development took place in the Telangana region under the rule of the two parties.
Naidu entered Telangana region amidst unprecedented security and appeared to be a in a combative mode, probably because of the TJAC’s repeated threats to thwart his yatra (It later backtracked on its threat and said it would not obstruct the yatra but only register its protest).
Trying to force the Telangana supporters into a corner, Naidu said that he had already spelt out his stand on Telangana. “I am not against Telangana. I have already said so. I had said in 2009 that since the Congress was in power at both the Centre and in the state it should sort out the issue,” Naidu said, adding that the Centre should act responsibly and resolve the issue. “I had urged the Centre to call an all-party meeting. If it does, we will convey our decision. The issue could be sorted out across the table, Naidu said.
Naidu’s first day’s tour of Telangana went off peacefully but not without a heavy dose of tension since morning with TJAC leaders and activists trying to reach the same village for organising a protest meeting, demanding that Naidu spell out his stand on Telangana.
But the tension eased by evening when the police managed to provide a safe passage to Naidu by detaining TJAC chairman M.Kodandaram and leaders K Swami Goud and Srinivasa Goud. Though they wanted to reach Rajoli, where Naidu was to enter the region after crossing the Sunkesula dam, they were arrested on their way. Kodandaram had a heated argument with the police and insisted that he be allowed to go to Rajoli to organise a protest which he said was his democratic right. “You cannot arrest us. We have a right to protest,” he said.
