HYDERABAD: Is the Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC) chairman Prof M Kodandaram gradually emerging as a rallying point for all the opposition parties to launch a unified attack on the TRS government in the State? Is he going to be the bulwark for the feeble Opposition to take on the ruling TRS, whose electoral foundation is deeply rooted in 'Telangana sentiment'?
Giving scope to this argument, the former political science professor, who had acted as a guiding force for the TRS during the Telangana movement and who played a key role in forcing the UPA government to accord Statehood to the region in 2014 with his novel protests, for the first time sounded the war bugle against K Chandrasekhar Rao's government. He is on a "rythu deeksha" (sit-in) to highlight the sufferings of farmers in the State.
For his maiden protest against the TRS dispensation, the TJAC chairman chose the famed Indira Park here, where various Telangana outfits staged dharnas and hunger strikes seeking statehood during N Chandrababu Naidu’s regime in the erstwhile undivided Andhra Pradesh, before the inception of TRS, way back in 2000.
After sitting on the deeksha along with the members of the TJAC, who represent various spheres of the society, the Kodandaram said, "Our demand is that the government should bring in a comprehensive policy to improve the living conditions of farmers in the State. It should end the ongoing spate of farmers' suicides."
Kodandaram, who always appears composed and unexcited unlike seasoned politicos, hurled choicest fireworks at the State government with a smile on his face, saying, "I don't say that this government is not aware of agricultural crisis in the State. They know the plight of the farmers. But, they are not taking any steps to rescue the farmers from mounting crisis."
Recalling that the State government had recently announced separate policies for industries and IT companies for their growth in the State, the TJAC chairman wanted to know why the government is not keen on bringing a similar separate policy for the wellbeing of farmers, who constitute more than 50 per cent of the State's population.
Besides leaders from Opposition parties, Telangana intellectuals and civil rights activists such as Prof G Haragopal visited Kodandaram and expressed their solidarity with him, during the deeksha.
Of late, Telangana has witnessed a sudden surge in protest demonstrations and public meetings over the problems being faced by farmers in the State. All these protests were held by opposition parties such as Congress, TDP, BJP and Left, separately, till now. But with none other than the TJAC chairman sounding the war bugle against the government, the political temperature in the State is rising.
Prof Kodandaram's recent salvos at TRS regime:
* Criticised the land procurement method for Mallanna Sagar project in CM KCR's native Medak district.
* Accused the government of putting TJAC activities under surveillance.
* Opposed CM KCR's methodology to create smaller districts in the state.
* Kodandaram objected to the CM's recent remarks that leaders who make baseless allegations would be sent to jail. The TJAC chairman said rulers in a democracy should give a convincing reply to the opposition's criticism.
* Kodandaram has been touring every district in the state to highlight problems of people.
* He has been critical of CM KCR for favouring opencast mining of coal.
* The Professor staged protests asking the government to revive Nizam Sugar Factory, which was privatised during N Chandrababu Naidu's regime and was later shut down.
* He expressed displeasure at the way the State government was striving to create jobs for its unemployed youth, as promised during polls.