Responsible Leaders Should Know Their Onions

Kommineni Srinivasa Rao

A politician must be careful about what he says, especially when a controversy is raging. This is all the more important for those in responsible positions of power.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's son and AP Minister Lokesh Babu's comments on the Nandi awards controversy show his lack of political sagacity. These comments have caused immense hurt to the Andhra people.He called those staying in Hyderabad as non-resident Andhras and asked them if they have Aadhar and ration cards in Andhra Pradesh to qualify for being deemed locals. These utterances show his utter lack of political maturity. Even CM Chandrababu Naidu too has questioned the comments that attributed caste to Nandi awards. True, attributing caste considerations is wrong. But, Chandrababu, who has four decades of experience in politics, should know that as you sow, so you reap.

Both Chandrababu and Lokesh claim that they serve the Telugus wherever they might be. When they claim to help the Andhras stuck in the US, why are they not showing the same sensitivity when it comes to the Andhraites in Hyderabad? Didn't Lokesh say during the GHMC elections that he was born in Hyderabad and that he would do politics in Hyderabad only? It is another matter that he has a CM as his father and became an MLC and a Minister in Andhra Pradesh. When Lokesh, who is not born in Andhra Pradesh, can become a minister claiming that he has registered as a voter in AP, how can he use expressions like non-resident Andhras for those living in Hyderabad? But, who is he in reality - an Andhraite or a Telanganite? There is nothing wrong in becoming a minister in AP. But, it is his comment that those living in Hyderabad cannot comment on AP Government that made popular actor Posani Krishna Murali see red. His anger is understandable.

Another question! Was the decision to shift from Hyderabad lock stock and barrel to Andhra Pradesh right or wrong? Didn't he shift to AP because of the Cash for Vote case? Though he had shifted, his family still stays back in Hyderabad. Is it not because of their business interests? Why did he lodge his family in a Hyderabad hotel? Why not in a Vijayawada hotel? Why did he get a new house built for himself in Hyderabad? As Posani rightly asked, if defeated in the next elections, can Chandrababu give any guarantee that he would stay in Vijayawada? After TRS came to power, he had even called for the implementation of Section 8 in Hyderabad for the protection of the Andhraites. But, he left the Andhraites to their fate and simple scooted away to AP. Hence, one must speak sensibly on issues such as these.

Now to his comments on caste attribution!! During his last stint, no one blamed him of being castiest. But, this time around, there are complaints galore on that count. Why did he appoint four persons from his caste to the five committees to select the films? One committee is headed by his close relative and TDP MLA Balakrishna and the other by MP Murali Mohan, who is close to Chandrababu. How did he do it? When this is done, even assuming that these persons work sincerely and without bias, there is a possibility of criticising them from the caste angle. Why did not Chandrababu Naidu gather courage to ensure that Balakrishna's film is not considered for the award since Balayya Babu himself is a member of the jury? Thus, Chandrababu's actions have given an opportunity to level allegations of casteism. One should not forget that if things go right, the credit goes to Chandrababu and if something goes wrong, the whole community would be blamed.

Chandrababu has no answer to the allegation that only one caste has garnered all the awards. Chandrababu Naidu should remember that he had made Tammineni Sitaram reel out allegation after allegation about Nedurumalli Janardhan Reddy's caste bias. Those who accuse others should be prepared to face accusations themselves.