Telangana has been a thriving and stable state within the Indian federation for almost ten years now. There is no going back in history. If anyone talks of remerging Telagnana with Andhra Pradesh, he can be called a true Telangana traitor (drohi). But whoever opposes the ruling dispensation cannot be called a destabiliser of Telagnana or an integrationist. It is like the BJP calling its opponents Pakistani agents.
Opposing or supporting the formation of Telangana state was relevant only till the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2014 was passed by Rajya Sabha on 20 February 2014. Now there can be only supporters of political parties or their opponents within the state of Telangana. Even those who opposed the idea of Telangana state had found berth in BRS cabinet. Nothing wrong with that approach now. It is absolutely proper that they are treated on par with others since it was a stand taken by them before bifurcation (reorganization) which is behind us by all means.
It is irrational and mischievous to talk of those who opposed bifurcation ten years ago. In the wake of YS Sharmila’s announcement that her party would support the Congress and would not contest in the elections, BRS leaders started talking about her father and former chief minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy and his perceived opposition to bifurcation. They say while Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan is an ally of the BJP, YSRTP president Sharmila has declared her support to the Congress.
Only MIM and CPM were steadfast in their opposition to the bifurcation till the last day. BRS chief and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) had no qualms in accepting CPM’s support in Munugodu by-election while MIM has been BRS’ undeclared partner locally and nationally. There is nothing wrong in what KCR did since bifurcation is no more an issue and all players are equal. There cannot be any party or leader that is opposed to Telangana state now. That bogey does not work anymore. There can be only parties and leaders that are opposed to BRS or Congress or BJP. And nobody is a traitor. We are now on a level playing field.
