(Dr Pentapati Pullarao)
Fast moving developments are taking place in Telangana and it is not about politics for a change. Surprisingly now Telangana is talking about governance, Environment, lakes, the future and governance. This is a big difference in public discourse, as usually the news is about Minister ships, defections and political hostility. For some reason, chief Minster Revanth Reddy has turned his attention to restoring ancient water bodies, lakes, flood prevention. Of course, the floods and disasters in both Telangana and Andhra makes big sense of what Revanth Reddy is doing
This is a rare journey for a politician. The normal attitude of politicians has been to focus only on politics and forget governance, discipline and strong administration. There is also the belief that people don’t care about “good governance” and they only want freebees and sell their votes.
The sudden public interest in Full Tank Level, Lakes, late great engineer Visveswaraya and such words have brought a new element to Telangana politics and also got the attention of the nation. There is a second look at Revanth Reddy across India, on whether he is a politician with a difference.
Revanth strong stand on encroachments:
Normally, politicians only evict politically hostile encroachers. Politicians also avoid evictions, since it creates anger in some voters. Most politicians follow the policy of Neville Chamberlain, the British Prime Minister, who in 1945 refused to tackle Hitler and said “let sleeping dogs lie “. That simply means don’t disturb vested interests or they will attack you. Well, Revanth Reddy is taking on powerful vested interests. In fact, some dubious politicians have been issuing press statements that “Revanth is doing good. But he should go slow “. These politicians secretly represent looters
- The bulldozing of prime properties held by noted actor Nagarjuna in Hyderabad got nation -wide attention and the nation has applauded Revanth Reddy. who exposed &demolished the properties of Nagarjuna.
- The demolition of properties of a noted former central Congress Minister also raised eyebrows. People realized that Revanth Reddy stood by fairness and was demolishing illegal properties of even Congress politicians. VIPS were being thrown out of stolen properties.
- Then came threats from famed Hyderabad MP, who challenged the Chief Minister to dare touch his beautiful educational institutions allegedly built on lakes. Instead of backing out, Revanth Reddy said that he is only preserving the Nizam’s heritage. Revanth Reddy repeated that he will clear up the lakes.
The list of Revanth Reddy’s actions in this issue are endless. But what they show is a great stubbornness and foresight. The great Kakatiya dynasties and the Nizam did pay attention to water bodies. There is massive public support for the chief Minister.
Many question if Revanth Reddy will continue this good work, or he will back out. So far, the chief minister has shown that he is stubborn and also politically shrewd.
One thing is sure and that is the government has enough power to evict illegal lake land grabbers. If a powerful politician has occupied lakes and set up colleges, all that Revanth Reddy has to do is to ask the education department to issue a notice that institutions on illegal land will lose affiliation. The students will abandon those colleges faster than an Olympic runner.
The courts and National Green Tribunal are very much on the side of Revanth Reddy. They will support him totally.
Public support anti- corruption and eviction of encroachers
Many politicians allege that Modi government is using ED and CBI against them. But the public never showed politicians who were raided by ED or CBI any sympathy. Not one person protested when Kejriwal Delhi chief Minister or Laloo Prasad was jailed. Public massively supports Revanth Reddy and is shocked that big politicians and cinema stars have grabbed lakes. These people should be thankful that Revanth Reddy has not registered criminal for using stolen property.
Revanth Reddy is now going beyond traditional politics of “freebees and factions “. Obviously, Revanth Reddy is going for “good governance “. The most important thing a ruler can do is give “good governance “. Revanth is on that path, and this will raise him immensely.
Interestingly, many chief ministers rush to foreign countries in chartered planes, paid at public expense for “investments “and keep saying “development, development “, But none of them give importance to “good governance “and that is why they lose.
We cannot predict the future. But I never expected that Revanth Reddy will try to be a chief Minister with a difference. Hyderabad in future will become the biggest economic center in India. But Telangana must also take care of its environment and Revanth seems to be trying that. It might be a good idea to bring school and college students to visit the lakes, so that public support increases for HYDRAA
Revanth Reddy is setting an example to all others chief ministers and also the central government that leaders must protect heritage and the environment. After all, Revanth Reddy is doing only what a good chief minister should do!
(Author is a Political and Economic Analyst based in New Delhi)
