Opinion - Editorials   

Constructive approach rewarded

The clean sweep of local body elections has powerfully vindicated the leadership of Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy 16 months after the Congress was voted to power in Andhra Pradesh. Aside from the fact that he has teamed up effectively with the State Congress Committee chief, Kesava Rao, and the Government and party have been on the same page, the Chief Minister has been able to perform well by connecting with ordinary people and their problems. Despite the difficulties encountered in dealing with the major challenge of naxalism, his leadership has not come under any kind of sniping. By all accounts, the nature and scale of the victory has surpassed the Congress' expectations. With the election of Mayors of corporations and chairpersons of municipalities scheduled for September 30, the ruling party appears set to capture power in about 75 of the 96 corporations and municipalities, reducing the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to an also ran status. Another striking feature of this week's election is the rout of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in the local bodies of the Telangana region. The overwhelming mandate in favour of the Congress and Mr. Reddy should enable the Government to consolidate its gains and seek to implement with full vigour the major poll promises it made in 2004 affecting the people's livelihood and welfare.

Neither the high-pitch campaign of the TDP nor the Congress' snapping of ties with the TRS made the slightest difference to an outcome that is virtually the same across the State, in the three major regions of Telangana, coastal Andhra, and Rayalaseema. Just as the TRS lost its bastion, the TDP has done poorly in its strongholds. Once the dust settles over this electoral battle, the ruling party must review its performance and promises critically because complacency is the last thing that the governance of the State needs. On top of the damage caused by the tsunami in December 2004, many districts of Andhra Pradesh are reeling under floods. Vijayawada and the Krishna delta, the rice bowl of Andhra, are among the worst hit areas. The torrential rain has come after three years of drought. The administration must ensure that the farmers got over this crisis and were enabled to raise a good crop. The Northeast monsoon, which covers Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh, will arrive soon, and the authorities will go on high alert in October. The opposition parties, notably the TDP, must avoid being unremittingly negative; they must learn to play a constructive role to help the people tide over this crisis. The TRS must reflect on its role and future. The All-India Congress Committee has shown a positive approach to cooperation with it in implementing poll promises, while ruling out any dismemberment of Andhra Pradesh. Instead of harping on Statehood for Telangana, the TRS would do well to shift its sights to development.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Constructive approach rewarded
The trial of Orhan Pamuk
Is it a case of too much of a good thing?
Infrastructure drives investment
Privatising water supply — a risky business
We can't wait to run out
Challenge to `intelligent design' teaching
Various suitors circle a Poland in limbo
Congress' win
Timely advice
Car pooling
Commendable
Unfair
Laudable move

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu