Congress leaders, different stands on Polavaram
Congress leaders are taking different stands on Polavaram issue. While the T-Congress leaders are strongly opposing the bill, AP state Co0ngress leaders are not making any noise on the issue, don’t know why.
Former Union Minister Kavuri Sambhasiva rao, who later jumps into BJP is the only person, who spoke on this issue. He stated that Congress party has pushed this matter forward with AP reorganization bill-2014 and the ordinance that was shelved later.
V Hanumantha rao, a Rajyasabha member argues that his party has planned to merge only a handful of villages and not seven mandals. Hence, they should oppose the bill in Rajyasabha.
Another former Union Minister Jaipal Reddy of UPA government, strongly condemns NDA government’s move that was initiated by his own party and own government before. He argues it is totally un constitutional, un democratic and against people wishes.
However, another former Union Minister of UPA government, Jairam Ramesh, who played key role in bifurcation, endorsing Kavuri statement, said “Congress party has added Polavaram Project in bifurcation bill because it was a long standing demand of people of AP. If, the project is completed it will provide irrigation water to 7 lakhs acres and also helps to produce 960 mw power. It also provides drinking water to many districts. That is why our government has declared it as a national project and prepared ordinance for merger. But, before going ahead with this project, first the government has to rehabilitate around 45, 000 families living in seven mandals that are going to submerge under the project. Hence, it is our duty to support Polavaram bill and ensure get it passed in the Rajyasabha.”
Another former Union Minister of UPA government also agrees with Jairam Ramesh’s arguments and he also appeals his T-Congress MPs not to create embarrassment to their high command by opposing the bill.
However, T-Congress leaders seem to be not in a mood to take orders from their high command in the prevailing situation, because they found this as a rare opportunity to get the people and media focus. But, the question is will they get any political mileage out of this issue at all?