Politics met Tollywood comedy at A. Revanth Reddy’s informal media chat on May 11, where one-liners flew faster than political jibes and showed the Chief Minister’s mastery at political repartee. Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remark that Maoism thrived during Congress rule, Revanth casually observed that the BJP had “grown up” during the very same era. Then came the cinematic twist. Picking up Modi’s oft-repeated success story — the BJP’s rise from two Lok Sabha seats to a 300-plus juggernaut — Revanth reached straight into the Tollywood comedy vault. He likened the BJP’s journey to comedian Brahmanandam’s unforgettable character arc in ‘Attarintiki Daredi’: from rags to riches and, eventually, back to square one. Revanth, clearly enjoying the moment, predicted that the BJP’s blockbuster run may also end with a sequel that nobody in the party wants to watch — a return to the original “two-seat” days. Political satire, Telangana-style, came with full Tollywood masala.
Adluri steps out of Jeevan Reddy shadow
In the shifting sands of Telangana politics, the legendary ‘Guru-Shishya’ bond between veteran leader T. Jeevan Reddy and welfare minister Adluri Laxman Kumar have taken a turn that should normally have the mentor beaming with pride. After all, when a student outdoes a teacher, the teacher gets to bask in that glory. In Jagtial, things, well, appear a little off on this front. There was a time when Laxman would follow his mentor’s every word, but that began changing after he was elevated to the Cabinet, and found that he also would need to deal with those his mentor did not take to kindly. As the gap between them widened, and Jeevan Reddy ignored Laxman’s pleas to stay put in the party, the student appears to have taken the role of the teacher in navigating the corridors of power with newfound independence. Proving yet again that there is nothing quite like a ministerial berth to help one emerge from the shadows and begin calling the shots.
Now, a collector orders probe into his own action
Talk about being the accused and the judge at the same time. Finding himself in such a spot is Suryapet district collector Tejas Nandlal Pawar who the other day received a complaint seeking action be taken on a land-related issue. The only hitch? The complaint levelled allegations of inaction against the collector and sought a decision, something only the collector could take. Showing he is not one to be fazed by such a situation, Pawar ordered an inquiry into the charges — and effectively against himself. The case was that a few farmers from Mellacheruvu claimed their 220 acres of land holdings were included in the prohibited list of 22-A in Bhu Bharathi with the collectors’ approval. They alleged that 130 acres in the possession of a cement factory located in the same survey number were removed from the same list. The land, the farmers claimed, was ceiling land and alleged that the collector had erred in his decision. Now the Mellacheruvu tahsildar has the unenviable task of investigating his boss’ actions, and an inquiry has reportedly been scheduled into the whole thing.
Modi’s austerity call leaves BJP tightening belts
The blowing of conches heralded the call to battle. And the crowds lost no time in chanting “Ab ki baar — Telangana mein BJP sarkar.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s May 10 public meeting in Hyderabad was to be a rallying cry for the BJP to start its campaign for the next state elections and to dethrone the Congress and keep the BRS at arm’s length. But Modi clearly had other plans. After talking politics for a while and calling on party workers to bring the BJP to power in Telangana, the Prime Minister launched an elaborate call for austerity, and tightening of belts, and so on. When all was said and done, the state BJP leadership was reportedly left aghast — with their plans to move forward with their political plans in Telangana quickly overshadowed by Modi’s call to action to national duty. The joyful buzz, the euphoria of Modi’s call to political action quickly was overtaken by Modi’s austerity call. For now, the BJP leaders have decided to do what their leader asked everyone to do — tighten their belts and get on with life, at least for now.
Babu not only sets tune, but plays music too
Talk about being multi-talented. Adilabad district collector Rajarshi Shah’s stepping into the role of a music teacher at a summer camp in Yapalguda was all that the folks there could talk about. Shah, apparently trained in playing the tabla, shared a few tips with eager students. Not stopping there, he also showcased his expertise in playing the harmonium, enchanting the campers. The children were impressed by the official’s professional talent and warm simplicity, and his actions won hearts all around. The musical skills of the IAS officer also came as a surprise to other officials and teachers. Hidden talents clearly have a way of pushing their way out, all they need is an occasion to do so.
What about a ticket for KCR?
The recent tough talk by BRS president K. Chandrashekar Rao directing his party leaders that they must be among the public and work on the ground, failing which they might not get tickets to contest the next elections, has raised a few uncertain eyebrows. Of course it is a good rule, that only those who work among people get rewarded. But the question of a wag was if the rule applied to all, even a leader spending most of the time at his farmhouse and being rarely seen elsewhere. This rule will certainly not apply to KCR, the party leaders say. Though he may spend nearly all his time in seclusion of sorts, he is still working for the party and planning its revival. After all, as party president, that is what his work is all about, leading and guiding.
Contributions from L. Venkat Ram Reddy, Neeraj Kumar, Balu Pulipaka, Md Nizamuddin, Puli Sharat Kumar, P. Srinivas
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
