Andhra Pradesh - Others   

All is well that ends well

B.V.S. Bhaskar

Kirlampudi (East Godavari Dt.): There were anxious moments. With the deadline nearing, tension mounted and there was near stampede. Three hours later, the situation was back to normal. Everyone heaved a sigh of relief.

These were the scenes on Thursday morning between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. And, all this was about the coming to an end of the nine-day fast-unto-death by former Minister and senior TDP leader Mudragada Padmanabham.

The threat

It may be recalled that Mr. Padmanabham threatened to take the `extreme step' if the Government did not accept his demand of paying higher compensation to farmers of Prattipadu constituency whose lands were being acquired for the Puskhara and Polavaram irrigation projects before 10 a.m.

Near stampede

Hundreds of supporters thronged his residence. There was near stampede in front of the room when TDP president Chandrababu Naidu called on Mr. Padmanabham around 8.40 a.m.

Around 9.40 a.m., Congress MLA Thota Gopalakrishna arrived and tried in vain to convince Mr. Padmanabham to end the fast. The fasting leader refused to hear anything and instead aimed a licensed revolver and unlicensed double-barrel gun at his head and chest. Finally, a fax copy of the Government order was passed on to Mr. Padmanabham and he agreed to extend the deadline by an hour.

Sigh of relief

There was near stampede again when Congress MLAs and MP entered the housing complex. Finally, around 10.55 a.m., the agitation was called off. Then, Mr. Padmanabham went upstairs, where his family members were also fasting for last three days. He then thanked his supporters.

However, there were a few questions unanswered. Who won this game and what did Mr. Padmanabham achieve?

What's the gain?

The Government's written assurance only spoke about providing alternative land to the displaced only if some big farmers volunteer to part with their lands. If there was no sufficient land, what would be the fate of the displaced farmers and their leader?

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