Telangana Neta Natter | Top Babu’s Biodata Becomes An Event

It was supposed to be Hyderabad’s history on the mic. Somehow, the microphone decided it was time for Sanjay Jaju’s resume. At the official Telangana Praja Palana Dinotsavam celebrations marking Hyderabad State’s merger with the Indian Union at Public Gardens on September 17, the anchor’s public-address announcement took an unexpected detour — a read out Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju’s biodata, from his educational qualifications to his postings in the state and Central governments. The unusual recital reportedly left several invitees exchanging puzzled looks: Was this a historical commemoration, a government function or a career-profile launch? Jaju has held several key positions in both the Telangana and Central governments and is known for his administrative experience and work in various assignments. But the detailed enumeration of his career achievements appeared disconnected from the central theme of the event raising questions on whether it was a faux pas or a projection of Jaju’s 'publicity savvy' as the spotlight briefly shifted from Hyderabad’s journey to Jaju’s journey.

Revanth promises Dharani dhoom, Part 2

Film sequels may be passe, at least in Telangana, with the space getting occupied by a new genre — political sequels. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has turned the spotlight on what he described as the “Dharani Part-1 scam”, placing documentary evidence before the Legislative Assembly to support his allegations that government land parcels were illegally grabbed by BRS leaders through the Dharani portal. But, according to the Chief Minister, the story is far from over. ‘Dharani Part-2’ is already in the making, with Revanth Reddy announcing that the next chapter will be presented in the next Assembly session. Congress leaders are billing the sequel as potentially more “explosive” than Part-1, claiming it will focus on land grabs involving government land earmarked for industrial development and involvement of BRS leaders. And why the five-month wait? That, too, has become part of the political suspense. If Part-1 was the trailer, Telangana politics is now waiting for Part-2 — with the government promising more documents and another round of Assembly fireworks.

BJP’s two tales: Paidi and Arvind

Shock value has, well, its value. Take the case of BJP’s MLA from Armoor Paidi Rakesh Reddy, who has more than once in the recent Assembly session declared his intention to resign if development does not reach his constituency. The threat, or warning, or a political do-it-or-else stand’s value aside, Rakesh Reddy has also been setting an example by taking part in various development programmes, unlike Nizamabad MP Arvind Dharmapuri, also from the BJP, who reportedly is not inclined to do the same as he is strongly opposed the Congress. Rakesh Reddy even praised revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy in the Assembly for the latter’s ‘better performance’ even as he made it clear he is willing to quit his post if Armoor’s needs are ignored, and demanded that the town needs an integrated revenue office complex, leaving his party’s, and Congress cadres quite shocked at his newfound working style.

Yogita off on another tour abroad

Education principal secretary Yogita Rana's latest destination is New York, where she will present Telangana’s work on foundational literacy and numeracy reforms during the UN General Assembly week on September 21 and 22. The New York appearance follows Dr Rana's participation in state government delegations to Finland, Switzerland and Germany between April and July to study international education models and bring back recommendations for Telangana. A proposed Japan visit in August, however, failed to get the green signal amid concerns that another overseas assignment for the same officer within a short span could invite criticism. Yet, the New York invitation has apparently passed the test. While the education department looks outward for ideas, the frequency of its top official’s global exposure has itself become a subject of debate in bureaucratic circles.

VKS — Naidu’s new salute to Modi

It’s never a bad idea to say nice things about one’s political partner, especially if that partner happens to the Prime Minister. Taking this route in Varanasi, which also happens to be PM Narendra Modi’s constituency, AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, at the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan recently, heaped praise on Modi, describing Kashi as Modi’s ‘Karmabhoomi’. Kashi, he said, had given the country not merely an MP but a national leader, and went on to talk about Vadnagar, Kashi and September and how they all mean something for Modi, and the country. Vadnagar is Modi’s birthplace, Kashi his Lok Sabha constituency and September, the PM’s birth month and thus the letters ‘VKS’ have significance. “Right time, right leader — Narendra Modi,” Naidu declared winding up his speech, and in the process, adding a new alliance acronym.

SIR nightmares begin to haunt big-time

It’s not easy being an elected representative. After all, every vote counts in an election and, if nothing, politicians tend to lose sleep over their voters’ intentions. Adding a new dimension to their worry is the ongoing special intensive revision of electoral roll with leaders clearly worried over their vote banks. Discussions among them are on the high number of anomalies and subsequent notices issued to voters as part of the SIR process. Leaders, both elected, and those who missed the bus thanks to being rejected by the voters in Adilabad and Mancherial, are reportedly a worried lot, especially with the SIR throwing up googlies in the urban areas. With the number of deleted voters in some cases being more than the past winning margins, MLAs are reportedly clueless on how voter deletion will play out in the next round of their electoral frays.

Contributions from L. Venkat Ram Reddy, Pillalmarri Srinivas, Narender Pulloor, Md Ilyas