At a time of irreparable loss, the family of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy needs sympathy and support from the Congress party and the people of Andhra Pradesh. But what middle-level State leaders of the party have put on display in the hours following confirmation of the death of YSR is not emotional support but political feudalism, an unseemly display of calculated and self-serving fealty to the First Family of the State. Even before YSR got his hero’s burial, pre-emptive efforts were on to have his son Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy accepted as the next Chief Minister, with more than 120 of the party’s 154 MLAs pressed into service as signatories to a petition backing this demand. India is no stranger to dynastic politics at the Centre and in several States, with the top jobs and privileges in certain parties reserved for family members, however inexperienced or unqualified they might be. YSR worked his way up the political ladder, first as an intrepid factional politician and then as a mass leader and strategist. His 36-year-old son, who until recently insisted that he was a businessman and not a politician, is a political novice with only the experience of managing a media organisation to back his case for heading the government. His formal entry into politics came during the 2009 Lok Sabha election, when he was elected from the Kadapa constituency. That however is of no concern to a support base that has prospered solely on the basis of allegiance to YSR and suddenly finds itself without its benefactor.
However, the campaign to anoint Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy as Chief Minister is not all about the feudal spirit. In the five years of YSR rule, some big business interests benefited hugely from concessions handed out in a corruption-ridden environment; these have figured in the documented allegations levelled by Opposition leader N. Chandrababu Naidu against the Congress government. What is clear is that vested interests that have wielded enormous influence in the State administration and have much to lose would like to see continuity in the ways of governance. In their eyes, Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy is the best bet to preserve the status quo; anyone else in the Chief Minister’s chair would mean taking a chance. The Congress high command cannot be oblivious to these facts on the ground. Ironically, a party that has long been criticised for imposing Chief Ministers from above, ignoring the views of the legislature party and undermining the democratic process, may need to do so once more — in the democratic and development interests of South India’s largest State and to set a no-nonsense example. The question is: will it do it?
Comments:
If a member of a particular family, without sufficient experience in political work and governance can be considered by large sections of the people and the media as the natural choice to head a national party like the Congress and any government formed by it at the Centre, the Andhra politicians cannot be faulted. They are just being true to the country's political culture. A cultural renaissance in the country's political community will be welcomed by all right-thinking democrats.
I am just 23 years old and a person who hasn't seen much. Yet I cannot fail to notice something which has left me disturbed and disappointed. Ever-since the news about YSR's crash came in, I have been seeing and reading only about him. I understand the magnitude of this loss but weren't lives of the other people on board the ill-fated helicopter worthy enough to find at least a mention? They were important people including an IAS officer, 2 pilots and also YSR's close aide.
Your editorial is nothing new except for the fact that the feudalism in Indian politics has assumed dimensions hitherto unseen, and is much more blatant particularly in the Congress. Also, while it was confined to the head honchos, it has now trickled to lower levels where even an MLA feels that once elected, that seat is a family asset. The day appears to be not too far off when the country will be in the hands of a few families who will dictate and preside over the destinies of the hapless millions.
While all the media is fawning over, congratulations to you for speaking up and setting the bar for other media organizations
It sounds like a bit of a Catch-22 for the Congress.
I admire the ability of the The Hindu editorial team to make bold and incisive comments. I witnessed this earlier on the Sri Lankan Tamil issue also.
This has been the trend all over. Exactly what experience did Azhagiri, Dayanidhi Maran and Anbumani Ramadoss have before becoming ministers?
It is a sad reflection on the functioning of our democratic system. Sycophancy and vested interests are taking hold of our entire political system and this is not good for the future of this great country. While I have no objection to wards of political leaders becoming politicians, the top job has got to be earned and not as a matter of hereditary right. Mrs.Indira Gandhi and Mr.Stalin came through the ranks even though they belonged to a political family. No one will have objections to those leaders getting elevated. Hope better sense prevails in the grand old party.
It is a curse that the elected representatives of the Congress Party should behave in this manner. Sycophancy is inherent in our culture, quite often due to vested interests. I wish the Congress leadership will come out of this crisis in a reassuring manner.
Rightly said. Yes, definitely, the YSR family needs emotional support, but not the kind that makes his son Chief Minister. Especially Jagan is already facing allegations and you don't know about his skills. The CM should be a capable person.
In my perception, this editorial is the real depiction of dynastic-democracy and nepotism. Such speculation reflects our democratic practices. I think, after six decades of Independence, we are still a nascent democracy.
Yes. The Congress should do it yet again. This time for the interests of the common man. I see no other newspaper which presents the situation on the ground as unbiased as The Hindu.
The developments of the past two days in Andhra Pradesh clearly point to the stark reality of Indian politics, that is, just when democratic politics appear to have developed some social roots, the whole political process received a severe jolt with the ascendancy of market forces. The AP campaign is nothing but well thought-out conspiracy by the big business interests, involving realty, mining, media and other business sectors.
Heartening to read the editorial, which makes so much sense in an emotionally charged situation, which opportunists with vested interests are desperate to exploit.
Kudos for the timely editorial.
The credit of making Jagan the CM goes to the enthusiastic common man to see it happen. The politicians are encashing this sentiment of a common man. If anyone else other than Jagan is declared CM, it is a foreseen fact that the so-called followers go wild about it and create a fuss about it. People are used to dynastic-democracy and the leaders are encashing it. The fact which remains undiscovered for a common man is that the decision made by him is out of emotion but not out of intelligence. May be the media should educate the common man rather than attest his idea for emotional decision.
I admire the principles of The Hindu again for publishing such a factual article.
When the inexperienced son is pushed into the leader's shoes, he will be misused by the vested interests and he will not know how to handle and manage them like his seasoned father could.
Thus this move by the Congress MLAs will have short term benefits followed by long term disaster for the Congress.
I do not think Rahul Gandhi will want this sort of succession at this juncture.
When Rahul Gandhi is a right person to rule the nation.why not
YS Jagan for AP state?Afterall congress party is practising this
ridiculus policy since Jawaharlal nehru's demise.
During last term of YSR, Congress leaders in all levels got benifits from Govt scheams. Corruption was rampant.Those who benifitted from the administrationdid not anticipated sudden death of CM.They want continuity of the system.Hence crying for YS Jagan is started
Pajjuru Mohanreddy
Detroit,MI.USA
This is what I always like in my favorite "The Hindu", taking a principled stand on matters affecting peoples' interests. Thrusting novices in responsible positions would lead to disasters. Congress Party started this phenomenon decades ago, and every other political party conveniently followed suit by promoting their 'unqualified' relatives. Certainly, there must be a Constitutional amendment calling for certain minimum qualifications, to be elected or appointed to any public office. The media has a responsible role to educate the masses on such matters and take up cudgels with the authorities on behalf of the people of India.
When I heard about the campaign about Jaganmohan Reddy for CM, it was nothing short of a joke and I am certain that congress has many other able and wanting men to serve the purpose in Andhra who have worked the years up the ladder to reach the ministerial posts just like YSR did. Being a son of somebody is (rather should not be) no qualification for this job and it must be ensured that it doesn't become an advantage either. Easier said than done, this is something democracy lacks in. In its endeavor to represent the public, they end up representing pockets of their own clan.
Thanks for an excellent and thought-provoking Editorial on the succession battle in Andhra Pradesh after YSR's tragic death. But in
Tamil Nadu when the late Congress leader G. K.Moopanar passed away
in August 2001, his son G.K.Vasan was ushered in as the leader of
the then break-away Congress, Tamil Maanila Congress which Moopanar
had founded, as most senior leaders thought that it was the appropriate thing to do to keep the party in tact. But one does not remember anyone calling it 'political feudalism'.
It's very sad to see such practices in democratic countries.Instead of being democratic country even today following dynastic politics make us to question the democracy of the country?
I really admire The Hindu's priniciples for publishing such a factual article.
Yes, when Jangan Mohan Reddy is a novice in politics, how can the so-called supports think that he can rule A.P.? It would give a chance to misuse the vested interests of the Andhraites. As of now, there are few experienced people in the Congress party to shoulder the responsibility.
All the MLAs who are demanding jagan to be made as CM might have vested interests. YSR has built his own cadre in the party and never allowed others to raise. Its sad in the democracy that these MLAs are not representing common peoples views and acting for their own survival.
Thanks The Hindu for speaking the truth. The dynastic tendencies being perpetuated by parties like Congress and the unconstitutional and undemocratic activities of other traditional political parties are the reasons why people are either frustrated with politics or joining the likes of new political parties like Lok satta which unfortunately don't have broadbased support right now.
The supporters of YSR want to maintain the corrupt status quo so that they can continue to feed on public money for personal gains. Corruption and Welfare state will never make India "Mera Bharat Mahan". Stop the sycophancy and find a clean politican to be made the AP CM. No nepotism and stop the welfare redistribution of wealth.
Love u Hindu!
Truth is what we want.....and u seldom fail to give it !!!!!
Hindu has lived up to its reputation for it;s daring article on "Political feudalism ". YSR is a feudal landlord, Factionist. It should be remembered that his son is involved in Paritala Ravi(MLA) murder case. A CBI enquiry was going on. The person MODDU SRINU who murdered paritala was murdered in JAIL. The person who murdered Moddu srinu was misteriously ill and about to die. Who is there to open mouth except press.
Well said...Kudos to The Hindu for putting out the editorial so timely. Other newspapers should take cues from The Hindu to speak up against the campaign and the business/political interests to instill YSR's son as CM
I think this is yet another instance that shows the lack of leadership in our country. So many politicians, so called leaders and netas, but we don't see any one who seem to be ready to take on the baton. The kind of leadership pipeline we had in the 50s/60s and even 70s seem to have evaporated across the country. Where is LB Shastri? Where is Morarji Desai? There are no leaders anymore.
This is just a biased editorial written blindly opposing YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. If the MLAs supported any other leader, and the Congress high-command imposes YS Jagan as CM, then there is a case for condemning it. And even Hindu would write an editorial criticising the Congress' style of runnning the party. When a overwhelming majority of the MLAs want him to be the CM, the one who has won by the biggest margin within AP in the 2009 LS polls, there is no point in criticising it.
Well said...It is clear that support for Jagan is not based on his capabilities....It is for their own good and personal gain. Survival of the Congress party in AP will depend on the decisions made now by the so called high command. Few initiatives helped the common man during YSR's regime like the Aroygyasri, Runa maphi etc., but common man might not bother much about the frauds behind. In the longterm that will have a huge impact!
Most people believe what the media tell them to believe. Most of the print and electronic media have become mouthpieces of the political parties and shamelessly promoting whatever they are saying. You are perhaps the only newspaper that is standing for the people. I admire you for that. Please continue to protect the interests of commonman.
Its ironic that the congress high command, itself ridden by feudal dynastic politics, should impose discipline on the state governments. If an example is to be set in order to promote a good 'political culture', why not start at home?
Its quite unfortunate that 155 Congress MLAs did not find a replacement of YSR, even among the ministers of YSR's cabinet. It seems the vested interests employing all possible means to coercive reluctant MLAs. They went to the level of asking for the help from PRP which they fought in elections just three months back.
Newspapers should represent the people's views. It is sad to see The Hindu is misrepresenting them. People voted for YSR(the face of Congress in AP). Now people wanted his son to continue his legacy. It is sad to see that, media is misrepresenting the case of projecting Jagan as CM. Since media one wish on this issue, it is justifiable that people who understands the ground level situation by media also air the same view of the media. It is heartbreaking to see that media is misrepresenting the projection of Jagan as CM is manufactured or in vestd interests. I urge the media to air the other side also.
Its very sad that we as a common man in india or Hindustan had been fooled by all our so called congress leaders and its high command since the time of indpendence of our country, sir hindu news paper has done a really good job by airing this editorial
thanks you are trying to bring awareness amoung common man of india
This was certainly an eye-opener. India needs good leaders. Dynastic politicisation seems to have taken a lead where Indian politics has become something that is to be inherited, not achieved.
Jagan has several allegations..Even in 2009 elections all the opposition parties raised several allegations against Jagan in money laundring, news paper, Illeagal businness stock trading, ,mines for raghuram cement factory, etc..Jagan is the main reason why congress droped from 230 seats to 147.
He is also involved in murder of former Leader Paritala ravindra.
Some one who is good for the state like purandhreswari should be elected for CM.
I surely have sympathy for YS death. But i dont want jagan as CM.
The late YSR worked his way up the ladder. Now the people of Andhra feel that his son should be handed over the responsibilty to lead. It seems that it is more of an emotional decision than a practical one. However, none of the newspapers including yours has given names of party members, who could be considered for the respectable position. People loved YSR's image and they see may be the same in his son. But no doubt the process needs to be more thoughtful.
The question is why should the congress choose anyone other than Jagan.
YSR had brought a new lease of life into AP congress at a time when it is almost got into oblivion. Jagan being his son duely deserves to be the CM of AP. Even in Tamil Nadu where The Hindu has its roots is ruled by a "Family" and has significance at the central level too with a couple of ministerial berths. India is an emotional country which has the legacy of supporting dynasty rule and it is accustomed and adapted to it very well. Taking the cases of Nehru-Indira and Indira-Rajeev, why not Jagan be made CM. Its not an entirely new concept on earth. So i dont understand whats the fuss over Jagan being CM. Even Sonia Gandhi was a result of replacement of Rajeev. So, why only in the case of Jagan. If a mere lady(then) like Sonia and political novice (then) like Rajeev can handle the entire nation i am sure Jagan has the capability to run a state like AP where he already enjoys a stronghold in all aspects.
Mr Jagan has right to inherit the property Mr YSR has acquired but not the chair of the chief minister. In Andhra Pradesh, the dominant caste is showing its ugly head. 5 years rule of YSR has seen umpteem murders of poliical opponents, shameless and fearless corruption and decay in the quality of administration. Let the wisdom of the centre save AP. Kudos to the Editorial.
The biggest question before AICC is how to sustain power in AP in long term. In order to sustain power they need to keep someone who is relaiable. YSR made congress come back to power by his strategy. But at the same time he has clearly faded out his competetors and hence today Congress is this undecissive mode. Now, I think AICC should think of keeping clear line of power and a backup for key positions. Coming to Jagan, He can definetly fit the shoes of his father, but how long is the question. Can he maintain the strong command line in and out of Govt?. Who ever is the CM for now, Congress is going to face a tough time in next elections (can be before 2014).
Democracy in the Indian context is caste plus money. Now one has to add dynasty also as a qualification. Nothing new. No one can change our fate.