Hyderabad, Oct. 14.:
The general strike in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh is 32 days old. It has taken a toll on the industrial, economic and general life of people not just in the 10 districts, but across the entire State. The three-day rail roko from tomorrow threatens to hit the travel plans of lakhs of people.
Hectic discussions within the Congress (I) in the national capital to find a way out have not come up with anything concrete. The message loud and clear seems to be that “Telangana is a sensitive issue. There needs to be a consensus among political parties. The Congress High Command is exploring several options and needs time”.
The Telangana Rastra Samithi, which is spearheading the agitation for a separate state, and sections within the Congress (I) feel that time is running out for the UPA Government at the Centre to act, as the people of Telangana are losing patience. In contrast, SeemAndhra leaders are firm that only a United AP is in the best interest of all.
At the forefront of the Telangana strike have been 66,000 miners of Singaneri Collieries and thousands of State Government employees. The joining of the Transport Corporation employees paralysed road movement in the region. Educational institutions are already badly affected. Businesses big and small have been hit hard due to severe power crisis.
Things have started improving, with the State tying up coal and power supplies with the help of the Centre.
The withdrawal of strike by most unions of RTC has seen at least some buses back on road. A few educational institutions have also reopened. The AP Chief Minister, Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy, is trying a `carrot and stick' approach. Will the Manmohan Singh Government act quickly or prolong the uncertainty which experts feel will be detrimental to both the State as well as its own political fortunes?