Digvijaya's vague words show Congress yet to make up its mind on Telangana

Congress leaders had hoped that party general secretary Digvijaya Singh would provide some clarity on the thinking of the High command on Telangana. But by the time the sun set on Hyderabad on Monday, the skies on the Telangana horizon looked murkier. Digvijaya had left leaders from all three regions more confused. Depending on which part of Andhra Pradesh a leader came from, he or she interpreted Digvijaya's words differently. Digvijaya's vague "the process has begun" sentence, for instance, was interpreted by Telangana Congress leaders as a clear indication that good news is round the corner. Former energy minister Shabbir Ali, who hails from Nizamabad district, in an ebullient mood declared July 12 as the date when the announcement on Telangana as a separate state would be made. But Ali's colleague, Nizamabad MP Madhu Goud, did not share the optimism. Recounting past experience, Goud is wary of the abilities of Congress leaders from coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions to scuttle any attempts to bifurcate the state. Other Telangana leaders worried about Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy's apparent confidence that status quo will be maintained in the state. A votary of unified Andhra Pradesh, Minor Irrigation Minister T.G. Venkatesh advocated giving a package to backward regions of the state, arguing that statehood will only benefit a few Telangana leaders and get them political employment and perks. Late on Monday night, on the lawns of Lakeview Guest House, Digvijay spent considerable time in the company of Professor Kodandaram, chairman of the Telangana Joint Action Committee, and his colleagues. Congress leaders looked on wondering what was cooking and whether "T" will be served soon. The fact that Digvijaya has asked top political leadership to prepare political and administrative strategy keeping in mind both possibilities -- status quo or bifurcation -- is perhaps an indication that New Delhi is yet to make up its mind. Because in case it has, to keep those in charge guessing, is playing with fire. Any decision is certain to arouse passions on either side and in the past, the government in Hyderabad has deployed huge numbers of security forces to keep protests in check. That has only helped the Telangana movement gather steam. What does all of this tell you about the manner in which the Congress is dealing with such an emotive issue? It says the party has no idea of the sentiments at work in any of the three regions and it is treating it as if it were a toss before a cricket match. By maintaining suspense, the Congress is not allowing any room to prepare people for such an important decision. This smacks of a cavalier attitude towards a serious problem. Also the question that begs to be answered is whether it is fair to divide a region into two -- Rayalaseema in this case -- just because the party wants to marginalise YSR Congress leader Jaganmohan Reddy and TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu. The proposal for a Rayala Telangana, also under active consideration, envisages two districts of Rayalaseema to be merged with Telangana and another two districts with coastal Andhra. Leaders from Telangana too are not enthusiastic about the idea. And at a time when the UPA government's numbers are suspect (both the DMK and the Trinamool Congress have deserted it and the SP and the BSP give only conditional support), does it have the moral authority to take such a huge decision that will have a bearing on state borders within India. A positive decision on Telangana will have repercussions in Gorkhaland, Vidarbha and parts of Uttar Pradesh, besides trouble in Seemandhra regions. Can the UPA government fire-fight effectively? Digvijaya Singh refused to set a deadline, unlike other Congress leaders such as Sushilkumar Shinde and Ghulam Nabi Azad. Having survived the last three years with their backs to the wall, Telangana Congress leaders are hoping the party's leadership will bite the bullet on the statehood issue this month.