Centre shoots itself in the foot

Two events of the recent past, both its own doing, have the potential to make life difficult for the government. First is the more burning question of division of Andhra Pradesh (AP), while the other is the Ranganath Mishra commission’s report recommending 15% reservation in government jobs and educational institutions for minorities. Both events have aroused expectations and passions and even if the government backtracks now, there will be no let up.

The Centre’s decision on Telangana has opened the floodgates, with nearly a dozen similar demands for statehood pouring in from across the country. Stung by the reaction in AP, the Centre is now back-pedalling. It has promised not to move forward on the issue till there is a consensus in the state assembly, which, given the strong reaction that the issue has aroused, appears well nigh impossible.

By insisting on a consensus, the Centre may have bought itself some time, but the issue is not going to die. Sooner than later a decision will have to be made, and either way there will be consequences. Given the present mood in the state, neither the protagonists of Telangana nor those opposing it appear willing to compromise. There is a division on the issue in all parties.

Surely, the government and the Congress leadership must have been aware that the issue is an emotive one and given the history of AP, it doesn’t take a genius to anticipate that it would provoke a violent backlash. Why go in for something that everyone knows is neither feasible nor possible?

Similar is the case with the Ranganath Mishra report the government has promised to table in parliament. It will evoke a strong reaction. Predictably, minorities will demand that the report be implemented and equally predictable will be the vehemence with which the BJP and other members of the Sangh Parivar will oppose it. Senior government functionaries as well as political commentators are convinced it will never be implemented. The only purpose it might end up achieving is to provide rabble rousers material to create trouble.