Will Kiran bite the ‘New Party’ Bullet?

Kiran Kumar Reddy’s rebellion is coming to an end? Seems so after being summoned to Delhi after a long lull! When it appeared that Congress high command was bent upon bifurcating the state it was rather strange for a congress Chief Minister to go thus far in objecting the decision. Because it is known that the Gandhi family will bear with the State CMs as long as they are paying obeisance. The moment the loyalty goes skewed, they are promptly replaced without any respect to their past deference. Thus the submissiveness was always a part of the relationship between the Gandhi Family at the center and the State CMs. Kiran too obviously will not be an exception to this mandatory rule. However, if Kiran is able to still stay even after the open rebellion, it is only because of the unprecedented situation occurred due to the T problem. This perhaps is the most difficult situation that Congress has faced in the recent past of three or more decades in dealing with the states. The inability of congress high command in finding a viable solution is aiding Kiran to still cling to his seat.

In this situation, will Kiran face the ignominy of finally abiding to the high command decision of giving the reins of T and come out to Andhra state and face elections enabling the bifurcation or will turn the inside rebellion to an all-out open fight with the high command is the million dollar question!

Talking hypothetically, what will be the election situation like if Kiran comes out and forms a new party, say something like Congress (K)? Given the traditional congress vote share to remain, the original Congress obviously cannot be ruled out to a single digit share. In addition, Jagan with his father’s legacy adding up, is already piling up on the congress vote share. In these circumstances, what is the audience that Kiran may try to woo with his new party? It obviously is the Samaikya Andhra section. But situation is so fluid that will the party affiliations which have been formed from ages will get dislodged by this new found love for Samaikya Andhra? May be a majority of the population in Andhra and Rayalaseema side may favour Samaikya Andhra. But the moot question will they disown their original party affiliation?

And more so, with no pre poll alliance between jagan and congress in the offing, the Original Congress, Jagan Congress and supposed new Party of Kiran will be dividing the actual Congress vote share. Any person with scant idea on psephology will say that it will be a victory on a platter to the prime opposition!!

Taking all these factors into consideration, the congress high command might have been talking a softer side on Kiran though he is playing truant. And even Kiran might be only doing lion roars without really going too far of forming a new party. For people, who are still doubting, why then Kiran is doing all these efforts knowing the real intentions of Kiran, the answer lies only in Kiran’s age and perceived future political aspirations.

A position at the center as a Cabinet Minister will be a perfect foil for a Congress Chief Minister to continue his journey. There are various examples of Congress Chief Minister unceremoniously removed and later being accommodated in the center. The likes of late Kotla Vijaya Bhaskar Redy, Veerappa Moily, ND Tiwari are there to be seen. So even inspite of Congress not being able to make it up this time in Andhra, Kiran wants to make his future secure!!

(By: Neelayapalem Vijay Kumar)