By chowdary
Published: May 20, 2007
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Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao fondly referred as annagaru, founded Telugu Desam Party in April,1982. He made into Guinness Book of World Records by coming into power within next nine months. How was this extraordinary event possible? The "taraka mantra" was " Telugu vaadi aatma gouravamu" which literally in English means Andhrite's self respect. The then central government, Congress, changed Chief Ministers frequently , very much, against the will of Andhrites. The mistreatment of Anjayya, the then Congress Chief Minister, by Rajiv Gandhi at Begum pet Airport gave rise to " Telugu vaadi aatma gouravamm". Andhrites felt they were let down by Indhira Gandhi and her Congress government.

25 years on, as history repeats itself, Chandra Babu Naidu, is hoping to come back into power in 2009, with the same slogan. At least, the recent media articles suggests so. Current state and central governments are accused of turning down Adhara people, very importantly, their pride. Maharashtra's prestigious Babli Project couldn't be checked and many multi billion international ventures have walked away from Andhra. Is Babu going to win 2009 assembly elections, especially, with the same slogan?

Before answering this question, we should go back few years into time.It was 1999, Babu was at the height of his power. His Vision 2020, high tech cyber ventures, revolutionary Janma bhoomi and Srema daanam programs captivated the hearts and minds of both the kids and adults alike. He was coming to our school in our city Vijayawada and was going to address us. I was very enthusiastic about it and was very eager to see him at a very close distance. When the awaited moment came, me and my friends cheered and applauded him restlessly. To say, we were very happy on that day. Again, in 2004 when he visited our city and passed by our house on his cycle yatra, I could care less. I did not even, bother to go out and greet him. What changed in those five years?

To say, everything. Each and every person in the state got affected by babu's adminstrative reforms in one way or the other. Be it be, hike in current charges or mistreatment of government employees. Farmers' suicide was on the high. Even worse, TDP ministers and leaders became very arrogant and corrupt. They ignored the very people who gave them the power. They and their cadre were too busy counting the money off Srema danam and Janma Bhoomi programs .

What about these three years into Congress rule? Although, Rajashekar Reddy's government is not better than Babu's government any means, there isn't much discontent among the people. Electric charges hadn't been increased thanks to Babu as, they were increased for next ten years in his tenure. YSR with his 'Jala Yagnam' or irrigation projects is giving the impression that welfare of the farmers is above the all. Ironically, much of these projects have their roots in Babu's government. Congress government has its own Rajiv Palle Bata for its cadre. The scandals which are being published every day in news papers were common place even in TDP days. The only difference was, they did not get much attention in the media.

In my opinion, andhrite's self respect is no longer valid today. Living standards improved over the past 25 years and Andhra got more integrated into India than before. Although, the fate of the farmers remains the same, very few people are unemployed now. President Bush and the prestigious Sem Project came to Hyderabad even in the low tech YSR's tenure. In reality, people are too busy to care about their pride. The focus of Babu should be welfare of the people. Sadly, so far, he didn't do much to convince everyone. It appears, TDP is banking on the weaknesses of Congress government to win the 2009 assembly elections rather than, by its own merits. Is TDP going to win the 2009 elections? Can it with stand TRS and Loksatta? Very importantly, are people ready to welcome it back into power over the current Congress government?

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