Political Parties - Unholy Alliances

All political parties are busy forming strategies to win elections – 2014.  The three national parties are not confident of forming government by self.  The Communist party is always dependent on other parties to win parliament elections.  It had maximum MPs in 2004 and supported Congress.  Though the Communist leader Shri Jyothi Basu had opportunity to become the Prime Minister then, it was refused by the party.  Later there was fall of Communist government even in Bengal, the only state in India which was under its rule for almost two decades.  Their strength also decreased in Parliament.

Congress, more than a century old party ruled India for about half century.  No other party could rule singly for more than three years.  It is always Congress verses other parties.  The stalwarts in the party are good at manipulative and popular politics.  They can carry on individually or in coalition and bring in populist schemes and gain in elections.  The electoral benefits of recently introduced food guarantee scheme is drowned in the multiple scams in UPA – 2.

The Bharatiya Janata Party wants to come into power presenting Shri Narendra Modi as its Prime Ministerial candidate.  They talk about the development of Gujarat.  But civil liberties people and people for human rights are pointing out various developmental indices that fail to show any improvement in the life of poor.  Also they point to the failure of Modi government in protecting a section of people in 2002 riots.  One of his Ministers is jailed for leading the riots.  Being the head of the government he is held responsible for riots and had to apologise for the same.  This is compared to Sikhs attacks in 1984.  Congress has apologized for it but did not punish anybody till now.  Now these national parties want people to elect them, and people have little choice, choosing between the devil and deep sea. 

There are other national parties like BSP, SP and JD.  But their influence is very little nation wide when compared to Congress and BJP, of course, Communist party.  Now almost all the states have one or more local or state or regional parties.  In Andhra Pradesh, the most popular regional parties are TDP and YSRCP and TRS.  The leaders of TDP and YSRCP belong to Rayalaseema or now newly formed AP (Seemandhra) and TRS is led by Shri K. Chandra Shekhar Rao who belongs to Telangana. The 2014 elections are being held to form new governments in two states, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The election heat is hotter than summer heat in Seemandhra and Telangana.  Local, municipal, assembly, and parliament elections are to be completed by mid May.  The appointed day for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh is 2^nd June 2014.  All the political parties are fighting with all their might to win as many seats as possible.  The changed scenario due to formation of Telangana had led many Seemandhra Congress leaders to desert the party and join other parties, particularly TDP and also YSRCP to fight against Congress which had fulfilled its poll promise of formation of Telangana.  Do not know what people are thinking in Seemandhra, but TDP thinks it is the champion of Samaikya Andhra as Shri Nara Chandra Babu Naidu tried his best to stall the formation of Telangana till it was passed in Rajya Sabha.  He is the man behind resignation dramas on 10^th December, 2009, and also negated the Telangana formation in 2002 by NDA causing death of more than 1000 deaths of Telangana youth in the recent past.  YSRCP also thinks it is the only party whose MLAs resigned after the decision announced by CWC to form Telangana.  Their party led agitations in the name of equal justice in Seemandhra.  The party has completely disappeared in Telangana.  TDP Chandra Babu Naidu could manage to hold his Telangana flock together till February 22^nd.  Later as Naidu was sure that he had lost ground in Telangana had announced that he would make BC person CM in Telangana if TDP comes to power has made TDP leaders in Telangana turn their direction towards Congress and TRS. 

To come to power the parties and leaders are getting into unholy alliance.  As surveys are predicting win for TRS in Telangana and at national level people are favouring Modi to be prime minister political leaders are leaving the parties which have given them political life and power.  Leaders who always talked of secularism are joining BJP or trying their best to have an alliance with it.  People who blamed Babu as back stabber and his letter is the cause of division of AP state are joining TDP praising Chandra Babu Naidu as a shrewd politician and capable of leading Seemandhra.  People who have come to power as Congress persons forgot that they have won elections in 2009 promising separate Telangana are blaming Congress for dividing the state and joining BJP which supported Congress’ decision on creating Telangana.  BJP who promised one vote two states in 1999 but back tracked on its promise due to Babu’s pressure against it is blaming Congress for passing Telangana Bill.  BJP which pressurized Congress to bring Telangana bill in the last minute worked in tandem with Babu, who refused to have alliance with them in 2009 blaming it as Hindutva non secular party, now promised BJP that if the party obstructs the passing of Telangana Bill he would give support to BJP in the ensuing elections and help formation of Modi/ BJP government in the Centre.  TRS which promised possible merger of his party in Congress after Telangana formation now refused merger and wants to contest alone.  Telangana people and party did not forget the trauma they had faced for four years due indecisiveness of Congress and its high drama in the final stage and imposing restrictions on government of Telangana state.

Now it is very difficult to know which leader belongs to which party and how long he will be in that party.  By the time the nominations are over there may emerge a crude picture of party leaders and their affiliations.  Once the results are out, then there will be refined picture of politicians and their political affiliations.  Observing all these things it will be a serious mental exercise to vote in these elections.  Whether to vote for a person or party is difficult to say.  When individual leaders do not abide by party principles these leaders should be eliminated and party should be given priority as every party is founded on definite principles and the people in central committee of any national party will always take decision abiding by its principles.  All the parties have skeletons in their cup boards.  We should wait and watch what happens at the national level.  As for local elections, in Telangana it is a must that TRS should win to gain “Sampoorna Telangana”, and it happens.

Woman

On 8^th March world celebrates international women’s day.  Though man and woman have important role to further human race towards progress, woman is not given due regard and never considered equal to man.  Man and woman are human.  They are equal as humans and differ as gender.  Nature has given the responsibility of carrying the human race forward to woman.  In this natural phenomenon the activity of woman becomes restricted, and responsibility increases.  The natural process of child bearing and child rearing has made woman the best domesticated animal by man.  The restricted activity and dependence during this period had made man to take a lead role in life and this continued for extended periods making woman a subordinate to man.  The domination of man on woman has led to abuse of woman in many ways.  Fulfillment of her human needs was controlled by man.

In the patriarchal society, woman dependent on man acts on behalf of man and as per the directions of man.  The birth of male is celebrated and male is provided utmost care.  The female offspring is given less importance and deprived of basic rights for dignified survival.  This is particularly common in present day in India.  The social bias to have a son is resulting in female feticide.  The skewed male female ratio in India is worrisome.  This will result in more social problems.  For a progressive society it is important the female population should be more.  Nature is strong supporter of woman and at birth the natural capacity of survival of female baby is more than a male baby.

The process of child birth involves risk to the life of woman.  Even in developed nations, though very low, there is mortality associated with child birth.  Nature balances this by appropriate male - female ratio.  Female birth should be encouraged and celebrated for the benefit and progress of human race.

Modern educated woman has proved herself in all fields moving ahead with man. Her knowledge of sexual and reproductive health care has lead to independent dignified life.  Health care is important for any person to live a healthy and happy life. The health of woman and children is the index of health of society.  It is a fact that anemia is common in women, particularly in the reproductive age group, even in developed countries.  In developing countries about 50% of women are anemic and in reproductive age group almost two thirds of them are anemic. 

Anemia is a condition where the oxygen carrying capacity of blood is decreased.  Hemoglobin, a protein in the blood binds oxygen in the lungs and carries it to the heart.  From there the oxygenated blood is pumped to all tissues in the body.  Hemoglobin releases oxygen in the tissues.  The normal hemoglobin in blood will be 13-15gm%.  In women it is generally on lower side, 13gm% is taken as normal.  Less than 10gm% is considered anemia.  This is manifested as general weakness, tiredness, and headache.  With severity of anemia the severity of symptoms and many others symptoms including frequent infections due to decreased immunity will develop.

In reproductive age group, if the woman becomes pregnant anemia increases all complications of pregnancy.  The incidence of fetal abnormalities and fetal mortality is more in anemic woman.  The important cause of maternal mortality in developing countries is bleeding in pregnancy/ delivery is more in anemic woman.  The incidence of infection, the second important cause maternal deaths is also high. So all women in reproductive age group must have Hb% done once in every year and if the percentage is less than 12gm% should consult a doctor and use appropriate medication.

The most important cause of anemia is nutritional deficiency anemia.  Iron deficiency is the commonest cause and vitamins – folic acid and B12 deficiencies are other contributing factors.  Proper diet and supplementation of iron and vitamins will improve the condition within a few months.  

In women of reproductive age group increased menstrual blood flow, frequent abortions or deliveries also can lead to anemia.  Reproductive health care and correction of menstrual loss with appropriate medication will help women to be healthy.

 All women, particularly in developing world, should get their hemoglobin percent test at the time of attaining puberty and repeat every year or as required, and maintain hemoglobin percent more than 12gm% always.  Fortification of salt with iron in addition to iodine will help to prevent anemia in women in our country.   

“Women’s health is nation’s wealth.”

Telangana - The Dream Realised

Just now the centre has announced the appointed day.  Can’t wait till June 2^nd.  All Telanganites will be eagerly waiting to celebrate the auspicious day 2^nd June 2014.  The day dreamed and achieved after a protracted struggle for 60 long years.  Hundreds died.  Thousands future lost in oblivion.  The intellectual direction from Telangana’s educated, the consistent political pressure from TRS and strong cooperation from all TJACs had finally made the Parliament to pass Telangana Bill.  The despotic acts of Seemandhras in the parliament could not stop or delay the passage of bill any longer.  The Seemandhra tyranny and disrespect for the nation’s ruling august house is witnessed by the whole world.  Whatever happens, one day justice has to be done. 

It is said that justice delayed is justice denied.  Telangana suffered much under the Seemandhra rule.  But their money power could buy Centre ’s unflinching support even after demerger of the state.  Centre/all the political parties are feeling that they have done 'great benefit' by demerger of Telangana from Andhra Pradesh.  To please Andhras the UPA/Congress government is granting many sops and granted all wishes including Hyderabad as joint capital for 10years, extra ordinary constitutional  power to governor in the Telangana state capital, and a hurried passage of ordinance transferring many villages from Khammam district to Andhras.  

Telangana people are watching all this.  They have to move ahead with what they have and achieve what they want.  For this purpose again Telangana needs political power.  People are glad that KCR categorically refused to merge TRS in Congress.  This had been another great decision of KCR for the benefit of Telangana region and to maintain its identity and future development of Telangana state.  Now in almost all states there are regional parties.  These parties can present their local needs more authentically than the three national parties whose high command is Delhi based.  The people belonging to those national parties have always to follow the diktats of Delhi command even in dealing with local issues.  All regional parties do know that nation first and then comes the state.  Developing locally and developing nationally will become mission of all. 

As Indians we should think of developing our villages and cities as clean and green ones with emphasis on providing basic amenities – food, clothing, shelter, health, education and employment for all.  Protection of human rights and dignity for all should be the aim of governance.  To have our identity we should learn the best in Singapore or Tokyo or Washington DC or Hong Kong but have our own model cities. 

I hope, as KCR promises, under TRS Telangana State will develop to become the best state in India and Hyderabad will become fourth best city in the world and not just in India. 

“The woods are dark and deep

And I have miles to go before I sleep”.

Jai Telangana!  Jayaho Telangana!!