ముఖ్యమంత్రి గారికి ఒక లేఖ ...

గౌరవనీయులైన ఆంద్ర ప్రదేశ్ ముఖ్యమంత్రి గారికి,

పేదల కోసం మీరు పడుతున్న తపన చూసి మాకు కళ్ళు చేమ్మగిల్లుతున్నాయి. ఈ మధ్య మీరు వాళ్ళు బియ్యం కోసం పెట్టె కర్చుని ఏకంగా 50% తగ్గించి వాళ్ళకి చేసిన మేలు ఎప్పటికీ మర్చిపోలేము ఏమో. కిలో కి రెండు రూపాయలు చేల్లించుకోలేని పరిస్థితి లో దాదాపు రాష్ట్రం లోని 2 కోట్ల కుటుంబాలు ఇబ్బంది పడుతుంటే, అదీ మీరు చూడలేక, చూసినా భరించలేక, వెంటనే స్పందించి - ఇంక రెండు రూపాయలు కుడా కర్చుపెట్టద్దు , నేను మీకు అదీ 50% తగ్గిస్తాను; ఇక మీదట కేవలం ఒక్క రూపాయి మాత్రమె ఇవ్వండి, కిలో బియ్యం తీసుకు వెళ్ళండి అని ప్రకటించేశారు. అంతే కాకుండా, ఇంకో 25 లక్షల తెల్ల రేషన్ కార్డ్లు కూడా ఇచ్చేస్తాము , పండగ చేసుకోండి అని సెలవు ఇచ్చారు ! 2.25 కోట్ల రేషన్ కార్డ్లకి మీరు కిలో రూపాయి కి బియ్యం ఇస్తున్నారు. అంటే దాదాపు 8 కోట్ల ప్రజలకి ఈ పధకం వర్తిస్తుంది. మిగిలిన 50 లక్షలు మంది ఎం పాపం చేసారు సార్ - వాళ్ళకి కూడా ఇచ్చేయండి కిలో రూపాయి కి. మర్చిపోయా - మిగిలిన వాళ్ళ దగ్గర పన్ను రూపేణా డబ్బు లాగుకుని, ఈ పధకం కోసం అయ్యే కేవలం 600 కోట్ల రూపాయల అదనపు భారాన్ని మొయ్యాలి కదా ... అసలు సార్ మీది బుర్రే బుర్ర ! కానివ్వండి ... ఇలానే కానివ్వండి !

సార్ - మీలో ఇంకో గొప్ప లక్షణం ఉంది అంట కద? ఏ పరిస్థితి ని ఆయినా భలే అర్ధం చేసుకుంటారు అంట కద ? ఈ మధ్యనే మాకు కూడా అర్ధం అయ్యింది. అక్కడ అక్కడ అల్లరి చిల్లర గా తెలంగాణా లో జరుగుతున్న ఈ సకల జనుల సమ్మె వల్ల సామాన్య ప్రజలకు బాగా ఇబ్బంది అవుతుంది అని మీరు సెలవు ఇచ్చారు చుడండి.... సార్, అసలు మీది బుర్రే బుర్ర ! కేవలం 14 రోజుల నుంచి సమ్మె జరుగుతున్నా సరే, మీరు ఇంత అద్భుతం గా భలే ఆలోచించారు సార్. సరదాగా రోజుకి రెండు నుంచి ఆరు గంటల విద్యుత్ కొత్త అంట కదా ? బస్సులు నడవటం లేదు అంట కద? విద్యా సంస్థలు మూసివేసారు అంట కద? మధ్యలో ఆటోలు, రైళ్ళు కూడా రెండు రోజులు నడవలేదు అంట కద ?. కేవలం ఇలాంటి చిన్న చిన్న ఇబ్బందలుకే మీరు సామాన్యుడు గురుంచి అంత లాగ ఆలోచించారు అంటే .... నీళ్ళు , కళ్ళలో నీళ్ళు వస్తున్నాయి సార్.

రెండు నెలలు నుంచి సమ్మె చేస్తాం అని మీకు చెప్పినా, అసలు మీరు పెద్దగా పట్టించుకోలేదు. ఇప్పుడు సమ్మె జరుగుతున్న మీరు పెద్దగా పట్టించుకోవటం లేదు. అసలు నాయకులకి ఉండాల్సిన లక్ష్యం ఇదే సార్. ఇలాంటి చిన్న చిన్న విషయాలు పెద్దగా పట్టించుకోకపోవడం. మొన్న ఆ మధ్య మీ మంత్రి వర్గం లోని 12 మంది రాజీనామా చేసి పని చెయ్యలేదు అంట కద ? హొం మంత్రి కూడా రాజీనామా చేసారు అంట కద? అసలు అంత మంది పని చెయ్యక పోయిన, ఆ బాధ్యత ని కూడా మీరు మీ భుజాల మీద వేసుకున్నారు అంట కద ? ఆఫీస్ కి రావద్దు లే, ఇంటి నుంచే ఫైల్స్ క్లీయర్ చేసిన పర్వాలేదు అని వాళ్ళకి మీరు ఇచ్చిన ప్రోత్సాహం - అసలు సార్, మీదే బుర్రే బుర్ర !

మీ మంత్రి వర్గం లోని ఇంకో మంత్రి, శ్రీమాన్ శంకర్ రావు గారు రోజుకి ఒక సారి మిమ్మల్ని కాని, తోటి మంత్రులను కాని ఏదో ఒకటి అంటూనే ఉంటారు. ఒక మంత్రి మిగతా మంత్రుల మీద విచ్చల విడి గా అక్రమార్జన ఆరోపణలు చేస్తున్నారు. ఒక మంత్రి గా, కనీసం మనిషి గా పాటించాల్సిన హుందా ఏ మూల ఉండదు ఆయనికి. ఆయినా సరే, మీరు పెద్దగా పట్టించుకోరు చుడండి - అదీ సార్ మీలో గొప్పతనం!

ప్రబుత్వ ఉద్యోగులు పని చెయ్యకపోయినా, మంత్రులు పని చెయ్యక పోయినా, బస్సులు , ఆటోలు, రైళ్ళు లాంటివి నడవకపోయినా, బొగ్గు ఉత్పత్తి దెబ్బ తిన్నా - మీరు చిరంజీవి గారితో కలిసి విశాఖపట్నం లో బహిరంగ సభకి వెళ్లి, అక్కడ ఏమో మీ పార్టి ఈ సారి లోక్ సభ కి రాష్ట్రం లో ఉన్న మొత్తం 42 సీట్లు గెలిచిపోతుంది అని ధీమా వ్యక్తం చేసారు. మీలో ఉన్న ఈ నమ్మకానికి అందుకోండి మా జోహార్లు. రాష్ట్రం ఇంత క్లిష్ట పరిస్థితి లో ఉంటె, మీరు మీ బిజీ స్కెడ్యూల్ లోంచి కొంచం సమయం, "సకల జనుల సమ్మె విరమించండి, ప్రజలు ఇబ్బంది పడుతున్నారు" అని విన్నవిస్తున్నారు చుడండి సార్.... అదీ సార్ మీలో ఉన్న గోప్పతన్నం. ముఖ్యమంత్రి గా సమస్య ని పరిష్కరించాల్సింది పోయి, కేవలం ప్రకటనలు ఇస్తున్నారు అంటే, అసలు మీలో ఒక అదీ, ఒక ఇది ... అబ్బబ్బబ్బా అసలు మాటలు రావటం లేదు అండి !

రాష్ట్రం లో రైతులు పంట విరామం ప్రకటించారు అంట కదా ? ఎరువుల ధరలే కారణం అంట కదా? అసలు పంట పండిచకపోవడం ఎంటండి ? అసలు ఈ చిన్న ఆపద మీ అభిప్రాయం వినే భాగ్యం మాకు ఇంకా కలగలేదు. వ్యవసాయ మంత్రి (అయన ఉప ముఖ్య మంత్రి కూడా ) గారు కూడా వారి స్పందన ఏమి చెప్పినట్టు లేరు మరి.

కిలో రూపాయి బియ్యం పధకం కోసం సోనియా గాంధి గారి అనుమతి తీసుకున్నారు అంట కద ? మీరే చెప్పారు లెండి - ఈ అద్భుతమైన పధకం కి సోనియా గారికి మనం కృతఙ్ఞతలు చెప్పాలి అని , అందుకే అడుగుతున్నా ! మరి తెలంగాణా సమస్య వల్ల అక్కడ అక్కడ ఇబ్బంది పడే కొంత మంది సామాన్యులు కూడా సోనియా గాంధి నే ప్రశ్నించాలా ? అమ్మో వద్దు లెండి, ఆమెని ఏమైనా అంటే మీరు మీ పార్టీ వాళ్ళు ఊరుకోరు ... ఎందుకు వచ్చిన గొడవ లెండి.

ఈ సమ్మెలు , బంద్లు , పుకార్లు, గొడవలు అన్ని పట్టించుకోవద్దు సార్. మీ లక్ష్యం వైపు ముందుకు దూసుకు వెళ్ళండి. ఇప్పటికే మీ ప్రభుత్వం రాష్ట్రం లో 8 కోట్ల మందిని పేద వాళ్ళను చేసింది. ఈ సంఖ్యా పెరగాలి అని మీరు పడుతున్న తపన, దాని కోసం పడుతున్న శ్రమ - ఈ రెండిటిని ఏ శక్తి ఆపలేవు. మీ పాలన లో మరింత మంది పేదలు పెరగాలి అని ఆకాంక్షిస్తూ ....

భవదీయుడు,

సుధీర్ కుమార్

That's all, Your Honour! : Sep.18-24

1. In an unfortunate tragedy, a massive earthquake that measured 6.8 on the Richter scale hit north-east India and Nepal. The worst hit state was Sikkim. So far, 77 people have lost their lives.Parts of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, West Bengal, and Bihar were also affected. Sikkim has only one highway connected to the mainland of India, and this route got damaged too. The army helped in restoring an alternate route to help in the movement of supplies. The airforce also helped a lot in supplying relief materials for all those affected. Rebuilding efforts are in full swing currently.

2. The 2G scam just doesn't seem to leave this UPA government. New revelations this week have bought out more shocking details on how this "honest and decent" Prime Minister has ignored mulitple warnings for many people within the government that the policy followed by Raja was flawed. Also, a 2011 note by the current finance minister Pranab Mukherjee sent to the PMO says that the then finance minister P. Chidambaram should have been more assertive in handling the pricing of the spectrum.

First, the man who broke the 2G scam first, journalist Gopikrishnan of Pioneer revealed that the government has lied to the nation (as always) on the meeting between Raja and P. Chidambaram. The government said that no minutes were noted of that meeting. Gopi revealted that minutes were signed by then finance secretary, D.Subba Rao who said that PC agreed with Raja that there was no need to revisit the spectrum pricing!!

Meanwhile, another letter revealed by DNA (earlier too by a news channel which I don't recall) from Dayanidhi Maran (Telecom Minister in 2004-2006) to the Prime Minister almost demanding that the pricing of spectrum be removed from the terms of reference of the GoM has created fresh storm. The Prime Minister,decided that the telecom minister be given full freedom to decide on the pricing and this will not even be bought before the cabinet!! This Prime Minister has given up all his responsibility while dealing with this national asset. Maybe this is the first time that a PM decided to keep out the cabinet while dealing with such a major decision. But ofcourse, he is "honest" and "decent".

And then a third letter. This one from the Finance ministry blaming the then Finance minister of not being assertive enough. P. Chidambaram and Pranab Mukherjee are now at loggerheads over this blame. The Prime Minister as usual says no one will resign, and there is no issue here at all. What this week's revelations have bought out is not just the infighting in this government, but the shocking lack of assertiveness from none other than the Prime Minister of India. And please, let's not call this "coalition compulsion". We are talking about loss in thousands of crores and that is only thing to be discussed here.

3. Last week, we discussed about the strike in Telangana. Guess what - the strike continued this week too! There was a rail roko for two days. Autos went on strike for the same two days. Buses are still on strike. Coal workers are also on strike. There is near total shutdown on many departments. Yet this government is not bothered. Except holding some review meetings and releasing some banal statements, nothing concrete has been done at all. The central government is the least bothered, which is more frustrating. They are behaving as if nothing is happening and all is well. Both the central and state governments are just hoping that this 13 day strike (and still going strong) will end by itself. Meanwhile, the common man continues to suffer.

4. Do you want to take a guess as to the cut-off mark for being poor in India? If you are in rural area, Rs.25/- per day will be enough for "private expenditure on food, education and health". There is no typo in that number. Rs.25/- per day. If you live in urban areas, then Rs.32/- per day will be enough it seems. Guess who came up with these numbers.... the Planning Commission of India !!! That's all, your honour!

That's all, Your Honour! : Sep.11-17

1. In Andhra Pradesh, this week there has again been widespread agitation in the Telangana region. This time a call to strike was given to all people in the Telangana region. Essentially, any working member of the government has to strike work in order to protest and demand for a separate Telangana state. For the last 7 days, coal production came down drastically in the Singareni Colleries, thereby resulting in hours of power cut in villages and towns. Coal India has come forward to help out the state, but that help cannot still compensate for the loss from the stalled production in Singareni. The teachers have decided to join the strike too. Not just the government teachers, but also ALL private educational institutions have decided to close them for two days starting today. When the strike began, cinema theaters were closed for two days. And starting today, the employees of state Road Transport Corporation have decided to go on a strike! So no transport facilities in Telangana now. Bolstered by this, Telangana supporters have decided to block national highways - which means trade will also stop! Lawyers in High Court have decided to strike work - so those seeking legal help all have to wait now! So for the last seven days, following are the sectors that have either reduced their effort or have completely stopped work

• Coal Production
• Power Sector
• Education Sector
• General government employees
• Road Transport
• Lawyers at High Court

In the pipeline is an autorickshaw strike too. And earlier post on this blog talked about the halt in governance because about 14 ministers resigned from the cabinet and refused to go to the Secretariat. After dragging this drama for a while, they again started attending office but this government again has begun dragging it's feet on this general strike that has been affecting the above crucial sectors. The government is behaving as if nothing happened, when the people are affected by these unending strikes.

If you are staying outside of AP, chances are you have never heard of this crisis of governance, given the "national" media's tendency not to look towards the south. Last week, there were massive floods in Odisha too - many of us did not know because the rains in Delhi recieved more coverage on TV than the floods in Odisha! That's all, your honour!

Art masterpiece

After a series of serious posts, it is now time for a very very very serious post. Below are two paintings I drew in the last month. I usually don't like to boast off too much, but you have got to look at the nuances in these paintings. I know you would like to stare at these paintings and feel/enjoy them, so without much further ado - presenting to you the world class master pieces!

Have a happy friday folks!

"...but what are the BJP's views?"

"....but what is the BJP's view" is the new latest fashion question to ask. Any contentious issue that comes up on UPA's plate on which the Congress is divided, almost immediately it places the onus on the opposition to decide! An attempt is made to show that there is no "all-party" consensus, and if such a thing exists, then the party has no problem (never mind, that it actually has no views/divided views!) Few examples since 2009 below.

Caste Census

When the census 2011 exercise began, there was a demand by some political parties that a caste census also be done. Primarily parties like RJD, SP, JD(U) demanded that caste be included in this census. To cut a long story short, the Congress party and BJP haven't taken any decision at this point of time. The PM as usual appoints a GoM, which was not able to take a decision given the deep divide withing the Congress party and therefore wanted a written assurance from all parties (putting the onus on BJP and others) about caste census. The BJP then gave a written consent (despite RSS opposing). Guess the only party that didn't give in writing - the Congress. When asked, Pranab Mukherjee said there is no need for the party to give in writing because he represents the party in the GoM. Indian Express reported that a deeply divided congress agreed for the caste census. A decision was taken just because the ruling party had no view, but all other parties had a view on this! The Congress party expected BJP (or any other significant opposition party) to say no, and then pass the blame perhaps!

Nuclear Liability Bill

I am sure most of us would have forgotten about this government's pathetic attempt to bring in a nuclear liability bill by stealth. This article in The Hindu gives a good summary of the events back then. The government made every damn effort to bring in language that was to the advantage of the supplier. Reports in The Hindu created enough awareness and the BJP now came into the picture big time. Without BJP's support the bill would not go through. And this time, the government rhetoric of "this bill is in national interest" did not work either. The BJP ensured that the deal got better and was beneficial to the country rather than the supplier. It was only after "Union government ... took on board most of the suggestions made by the Bharatiya Janata Party" that the bill was passed. Arun Jaitley severly criticised the government for trying to rush through this landmark legislation, but all was forgotten by evening!

Second Gen reforms

It was one of those rare moments when the Prime Minister decided to speak to the press. He invited TV editors and one of them had the common sense to ask him why reforms were not taking place. Guess what his answer was? The BJP was stalling the Goods and Services Tax bill, and therefore the second generation reforms were not taking place! He said that the BJP wants the govt. to go easy on a "Gujarat minister". Some state governments of the BJP have been opposing GST from like 2009. Amit Shah (the Gujarat Minister) was arrested somewhere in 2010. What link does passing of GST have to do with the arrest of a minister? Is GST the only reform that he has envisioned? If so,has he tried to address the state governments concerns about this proposal? If not, what are the other reforms he plans to usher in? What is their status? No - nothing of this sort is discussed later in the day. The onus is all the BJP's to get the reforms (I guess we should not use a plural form here, given that there is only one law that the govt. intends to bring!).

Telangana

Well, here nothing was specifically asked about BJP. But let's have a quick look at how Sonia Gandhi arrived at her decision. In early December, K. Chandrashekar Rao started a fast unto death demanding a separate Telangana state. On December 7th, Sonia Gandhi ordered the CM of AP to call for an all party meet. In the all party meet, opinions of all the parties were elicited. Guess which party did not give a concrete opinion? Congress! At about 11:45pm on the December 9th, the Home Minister announces that the process of formation of a separate Telangana state will begin! Later ofcourse there was public outcry and he had to withdraw this decision. But even till date, he refers to this all party meeting and says they took a decision only because all the parties agreed to it! Never once did Congress give out a categorical view on this subject.

Terror Attacks

Each time a terror attack happens, guess what media will be waiting with bated breath? How will BJP react? According to many pundits in the media, BJP is not supposed to criticize the government after terror attacks, no matter how many times various cities in this country are attacked. BJP must be a mature opposition party and exhibit bi-partisan spirit when it comes to dealing with terror. And how exactly should it exhibit "bi-partisanship" - not one pundit will even care to elaborate. No pundit will ever ask the Congress why we are being attacked so many times. No questions are asked on why so many attacks under this Prime Minister; no specific questions to ministers concerned - All they care is about BJP's criticism and therefore the "politicisation" of the attacks. Never has there so much onus on the opposition to not point out the deficiency in the government!

The row about death convicts

Recently, Tamil Nadu assembly passed a resolution recommending to the President to commute the death sentence of 3 convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi +18 others assasination case. This resolution was passed after the President gave the order to hang them. Almost immediately, J&K Chief Minister asks if the reaction would have been so muted if J&K assembly passed a resolution recommending clemency to Afzal Guru. BJP criticizes this statement by Omar. Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal party in Punjab renewed it's demand to grant clemency to Bhullar. And so now our CM from J&K jumps again and asks what is the BJP's view about this. Folks on twitter showed him articles in national newspapers, in which BJP clearly said they do not agree with Akali Dal on this. Not bothered about these facts, he goes on to ask Barkha Dutt the same question, and the diva thinks it is an "good" question. So now you see, it is all about "What is the BJP's views". Not one question on the Congress party's views on these topics (to think of it, they revere Rajiv Gandhi. They should atleast have a view on that right?). No one even bothered to debate what the ruling party of this country thinks about these controversies on death row. The entire debate was centered around BJP and it's stand, despite repeated clarifications. Infact, BJP clarified on NDTV channel that all death convicts must be hanged. And despite that both Omar Abdullah and Barkha Dutt have not yet clarified on BJP's position.

The Jan Lokpal agitation

Events are too recent to recount them all here. A full account of the 11 day fasting by Anna and the massive support he got is here. It all started with the pre-emptive arrest of Anna Hazare. Arun Jaitley gave a spirited speech in Rajya Sabha, detailing how BJP is opposed to some povisions of the Jan Lokpal bill, it supports the right of the citizen to protest and the government killed that right. Everybody praised the speech, said wah wah and some said they'd even vote for the BJP if they can sustain such clarity. Meanwhile, however the Congress is dragging it's feet. the fasting enters into its 4th day, 5th day. Suddenly, again they ask, .."but what is the BJP's view on Lokpal". The BJP has put forth it's views on Lokpal much much earlier, many times (not able to find it, but their website has a draft version). They are again elucidated and again everyone is satisfied. Again the Congress drags it's feet. Now, after 10 days, again people ask " .... but why is BJP not doing anything." That's right - the onus suddenly shifted on to the BJP now! The congress party, which had no freaking clarity on what to do, tried to pass the onus on to the BJP saying, they might not agree and vote on this etc!

I have not gone into too much detail on each of the issues presented above. No discussions on whether we agree with the BJP's view or not - but what is certainly disturbing is the fact that never before has then onus been on the opposition to take policy related decisions! Never before has the ruling party been so callous in it's approach towards important policy matters. And with a compliant media to help it out, the congress party has ensured in seeding the argument that it is helpless because the political class as such is to blame!

That the ruling Congress party can talk on so many issues with different voices and still get away with it is disappointing to say the least. The Congress won a resounding 206 seats on its own in 2009 against the 116 won by the BJP. Pretty much every small party was more than eager to support the congress. Despite such a clear mandate, all we get to see is the government dragging it's feet on every possible important decision. Whilst it is good that we are getting a very good insight into what the opposition's views are, on policy matters, isn't it concerning that the ruling party's incoherence is never the subject of intense debate?

And yet YSR won, how?

The loot of Andhra Pradesh, Part-1 and Part-2 discussed in detail how much corruption seeped into the system under the Congress CM, YSR and his family. Despite all the outrage and open loot, YSR won back the elections in 2009. It is but natural to be asking and thinking how this happened if all that has been discussed is true. In my opinion, there are four main factors (in no particular order) that helped YSR win back the election in 2009.

1. The massive psychological and perceptional campaign

In 2009, TDP alliance won 34.54% share of the vote as opposed to the 36.53% of the Congress.There is just about a 2% difference in the vote share between these parties and therefore all the small and big perceptional and psychological points YSR scored over Naidu mattered a great deal. In my opinion, YSR very adeptly played the psychological game to the hilt. He turned the constant coverage of his corruption as a boon. He was successful in stressing that this is all a propaganda; that the media is all negative; that Naidu did more corruption; and finally opened a newspaper for himself. While stressing on this "negativity", YSR also roped in multiple other factors to play with the sentiments of people. Some examples:

• Rains during his tenure

It didn't rain for the last three years of Chandrababu Naidu's tenure. From the second year of YSR's tenure till his 5th year, it rained bountifully every year without fail. He converted this natural occurence into his credit. He and the Congress party lost no opportunity to shout at the top of their voice - Rains are falling only because YSR is the CM. It never rained when Naidu was CM, it always rained when YSR was CM. Believe it or not, this created a huge sentimental impact of many people (including the non-agricultural folks!). After the first phase of elections in AP, some media started speculating that Naidu is going to come back to power. Since the elections were in May, it was very hot. At about that time, the Met department predicted a delayed monsoon. YSR immediately caught on to that fact and used it in his second phase of campaign - the mere speculation of Naidu's returning back to power is causing a delay in monsoon!

• The trust and credibility factor

Another overdosed campaign was that YSR was the most credible and trustworthy person and leader ever to be born! He never took action against any wrong doer if he/she was close to him. The scale of the wrong doing never mattered to him - if he liked the person, he would not touch them at all. Despite it's huge negative impact on the polity, a big positive spin was given to saying that YSR never betrays those who trust him! Naidu is cunning, but YSR is friendly. YSR has a best friend, Naidu doesn't have a best friend also. Naidu doesn't believe in anyone. YSR forgives even those who betray him! This perception was very strong in some well educated and neutral voters too.

• State government employees

Many state government employees were not happy with Naidu's style of functioning. He was strict, demanded performance and results from them, and was ruthless in admonishing them in public. He made many surprise visits to offices and didn't think twice before suspending employees. It is said that they too played a vital role in his defeat in 2004. YSR in contrast gave them a free hand. Employees were more content under YSR and hence he could get their support easily.

• Always has a smile (rather heartily laughing face)

Yet another psychological point - YSR always has a smiling face. Naidu never smiles! Every small thing counts when you won just by 2%!

• Counter to the Corruption

YSR's only point when pointed out to the corruption under his rule - Naidu was much more corrupt. Any argument on corruption always ended up with rhetoric of Naidu's corruption.

• Taking on the well-established media

Two major newspapers, eenadu and andhra jyothy, were going bonkers on his government. He took them head-on, criticized them day-in and day-out, and finally opened his own newspaper and TV channel! So now we had people discussing the "war" between the media, and not the corruption charges anymore.

• Welfare programs

His welfare programs achieved two things. One obviously is that they actually benefited sizeable number of people. The second one is that the perception of him being a poor man's messiah got imprinted into the minds of neutral voters. For example, a software engineer who benefited from Naidu's IT policy and is now placed in a good job now started to think - "ohh yeah, Naidu never did anything for the poor. YSR is doing so much, even though he is corrupt." Naidu lost quite a chunk of those votes too - simply because of this perception of the well-settled class of people thinking YSR is better than Naidu.

2. The welfare (free for all) programs

I will not be discussing the drawbacks/corruption/irregularities in these schemes here. Merely mention what they are and how they intend to benefit.

• Free power

The backdrop of the 2004 elections was that the TDP rule failed to take care of the farmer's needs. YSR's main plank was that he will alleviate the farmer out of his misery. He will alleviate the poor people out of their misery. And midst this backdrop he won the election in 2004. The first file he signed was on "free power to the farmers". And since absolute free power is near impossible, slowly that has been diluted to exclude rich farmers etc. The remaning free power was given for seven hours a day, intermittently. Even if it was not given for seven hours, what actually did matter was that it was free. To the farmer for whom every ten rupees counts, this was something he never forgot.

• Health insurance and Ambulance service

This was another huge hit amongst the poor, rural and lower middle class segment of Andhra Pradesh. Essentially, if you are white ration card holder, you are entitled to health care in most private hospital for ailments that are out of your reach. So for example, you need to be operated upon for a major operation which will cost you about 2 lakhs. Under ordinary circumstances you cannot afford it, but with this scheme you can get the operation done and the government will reimburse all the costs! So to all those people who couldn't get ailments cured at government hospitals, this became a boon. Suddenly, you see people who otherwise could not have afforded this health care, now happy and content. People I know have been so happy with the government for this scheme.

YSR also popularised the Emergency Ambulance service. Even in rural areas, you had ambulances reaching you within 15 minutes (with a picture of Rajiv Gandhi on it).

• Fee reimbursement

YSR announces that the government will reimburse the full education fees (under-graduate, graduate, PG courses) of all BC students (eligbility criteria was very low too)! Colleges were hit because of late payments from the government, but students and their families were thrilled that their education costs are now free - and that's what mattered here!

• Rs.2/Kg rice

This was the pet scheme of NTR in both his first tenure and his subsequent tenure in 1994. YSR, out of the blue again, announced that he will give rice at Rs.2/kg at ration shops!

• Pavala vaddi (loan @ 25p) for Self Help Groups

He introduced loan at just 3% for Self Help Groups in the state. This encouraged small scale businesses to flourish well. And get their votes too.

• Absorbing the Rs.50/- increase on LPG cylinder

When the central government hiked the LPG rate by Rs.50/- in 2007, YSR decided that the state government will absorb the cost

• The perception about Jalayagnam

This was another huge perception campaign launched. It was made to look like Jalayagnam project was already complete and the state is now free of any irrigational problems. Only 12 out of the planned 48 have been completed so far. But YSR made sure inagurations of projects happened at a regular pace. So in case even if people forgot, they would suddenly be reminded of this project and think YSR is like the water god of AP!

Bad economics, one would argue? True no doubt. It is difficult for any free for all scheme to sustain in the long term. So imagine the troubles to maintain so many free-for-all schemes. The Finance minister himself would say that these schemes are a burden. Unless you have a steady revenue generating model, you cannot sustain these freebies. And where did revenue come from - real estate and higher taxes! But then there is only so much real estate one can sell. You and I can sit in the coziness of our offices/home and have the luxury of talking about "long-term" impact blah blah. Try telling a daily wage labourer or to that massive population that depends on nature to earn well, that the concessions he/she is getting will be disastrous for the economy in the "long-term". He will care a scoot. What mattered to them is that their present is good, with a promise of a similar future from a man whom they believed to be "credible".

3. Split in the opposition vote.

Elections are also about the complex electoral math. Just to avoid a split in the opposition vote, the entire opposition in the state entered into an alliance. TDP, TRS, CPI and CPI(M) all formed a "Maha kutami". But then Chiranjeevi played the spoilsport. Remember the statistics - TDP alliance gets 34.54%. Congress gets 36.53%. Chiranjeevi got 17% and Jayaprakash Narayan's Lok Satta got 1%. So you have a full block of 18% that would have gone either way (most of it into the opposition's vote). And this electoral math guided YSR and the Congress party to a slender majority (156/294) in the Assembly elections of 2009.

4. The money from the loot

And ofcourse the massive money power unleashed helped capture the votes of the vulnerable sections. It would be naive to assume that money played no role at all in those elections. It did, and it contributed to the victory too. Plus it is with this loot money that a newspaper and a channel were set-up. This loot money was used for counter attacking the opposition, and this loot money was used to distributing (either directly or indirectly) during the elections to vulnerable sections.

Conclusion

Also, those who say Naidu did nothing for the state are just fooling themselves. Even if we believe that the development of IT is his *only* achievement - take a look around at the number of steady jobs created not just in urban but even for people from other areas, the number of secondary sectors that flourished (like security, cab, catering - each in turn providing employment), and the real estate bump through which these politicians made so much money! To discount such a phenomenal contribution to the growth of the economy is naive. His success in fostering the Self-help groups (they succeeded only in AP), his stress on various initiatives like rain-water harvesting (neeru-meeru), people's participation in welfare programs through "Janmabhoomi" (you know, all his speeches used to end with Jai Hind Jai Janmabhoomi - liked that a lot :) ), clean environment etc - did impact a sizeable population too. Contrary to popular perception, TDP alone won 1crore 34 lakh votes in 2004 to Congress's 1crore 37lakh. Just 3 lakh votes between these two parties. The major loss for TDP was from it's alliance with the BJP (between TDP+ and Cong+, there was ~20 lakh vote difference!).

Anyways, A combination of the above four factors helped him win, despite the massive loot. His corruption did help the opposition, but like mentioned above the slender lead of 2% of votes (about 10 lakh votes) made all the difference. Nevertheless, the dire financial straits that the state is in, is testimony to his lack of vision. Leave all economics aside - think just about this - you have ensured that many people are dependent on you for their expenses, without really increasing their income levels and now you say - you know what, sorry I can't cover these expenses. live with it. The misery you cause because of that false hope is unbearable and that is what some people have already begun to experience. That's the sad reality too.

And with this, ends the series on YSR :) Sorry for bombarding you with these long posts!

That's all, Your Honour! : Sept. 4-10

The above picture is a snapshot of the headline by Mid-Day after the Delhi bomb blasts last week. This was perhaps the only newspaper which reflected the sense of disgust amongst the citizens. In another gruesome incident, a powerful bomb went off outside gate no:5 of Delhi High Court, killing a total of 13 citizens and injuring about 100. And the drill was then followed, without any hiccups. First the government condemned it. Then the Home Minister said intelligence was given to Delhi police in July, but there was no specific intelligence. Later in the evening, our Prime Minister says these "cowardly" incidents will not make us succumb to the pressure of terrorism. Not make us succumb, Mr. Prime Minister? Under your watch, we have had about 18 terror attacks - and you had the courage to say we will not succumb?? Well, what is the point blaming you? There is a compliant media that will make sure your reputation is not hurt. There is a sleeping vote block will not come out to vote. As long as they wouldn't care, why would it matter?

And then our Home Minister addresses a press conference. Says there was a delay in procruring CCTVs. Then says, there have been just three incidents on terror under his watch. When the Pune blast happened, it was said that it was first blast after so many months post 26/11. Then when the varanasi blasts happened, they were termed minor incidents. Then when the Mumbai blasts happened, it was "just" the second incident. And now the Delhi blasts happened, it is "just" the third incident. Home Minister also said there is no intelligence failure. Home Minister also said that BJP does not know how to behave in bipartisan manner. I don't get it - what just is the BJP expected to do here? Nod it's head while the arrogant Home Minister reels out crap like this?

It feels so sad to see those dead bodies. Even more sad is the fact that many innocent families are suffering. It is mind-numbing to think that pretty much any place is cities is unsafe, and any disaster can strike you. And in return, we might get a "this is just the fourth incident" statement. That's all, your honour!

అదన్నమాట! : సెప్టెంబర్ 4-10

ఈ వారం కూడా జగనన్న మీదే చర్చలు అన్ని ! జగన్ అన్న డిల్లి వెళ్ళరు అండి. అక్కడికి వెళ్లి - ఇంగ్లిష్ చానెల్స్ వాళ్ళకి ఇంటర్వ్యూ ఇచ్చారు. అందులో చాలా స్పష్టం గా - బీజేపీ తో కలిసే ప్రసక్తి ఈ లేదు అని ఖచ్చితం గా చెప్పారు. 2014 లో అవసరం అయితే యుపీఏ సర్కారు కు మద్దత్తు ఇస్తాము అని కూడా చెప్పారు అండి !! ఈ వ్యాఖ్యలు చాల దూమారం లేపాయి.

రాష్ట్రం లో ఏమో ఇన్ని ప్రగల్భాలు పలికి ఇప్పుడు సేబేఐ కాసులు పెట్టగానే ఇలా ప్లేటు ఫిరయిస్తారు అని కల లో కూడా ఉహించలేదు ఇక్కడ మద్దతుదారులు ! ఇంతే కాకుండా, డిల్లి లో ఎవరిని పెడితే వారిని కలిసి, సేబేఐ దాడుల గురుంచి మొర పెట్టుకున్నారు అంట. ఆఖరికి లాలు ప్రసాద్ యాదవ్ దగ్గరికి కూడా వెళ్ళారు అంట! ప్రధాన మంత్రి ని కూడా కలిసారు అంట, కాని సి బీ ఐ విచారణ గురుంచి చర్చచించ లేదు అంట. రాష్ట్రం లో రైతుల సమస్య గురుంచి చర్చించారు అంట! ఈయన చెప్పడం, ప్రధాన మంత్రం వినడం - సరిపోయింది లే !

జగన్ అవినీతి చిట్టా ఒక్కొకటి గా బయటికి వస్తుంది. కాంగ్రెస్స్ వాళ్ళకి కూడా ఇక వైఎసార్ ని వెనకేసుకొని రావడం కష్టం అయ్యిపోతుంది ! ముందు ముందు చూడాలి, ఈ తమాషా ఎలా సాగుతుందో ! అదన్నమాట!

The Great Loot of Andhra Pradesh - Part 2

"This week, a series of media reports - including on NDTV - explored whether Jagan and Janardhana have ever formally shared business interests"

That amazing assertion has been picked up from an NDTV report, filed on September 8th,2011 will make you think some extensive research did go into "exploring" the best known open secret!

Let's briefly look at this "exploration" - Sakshi newspaper's registered address is also the registered address of two other firms, one of which has a stake in Obulapuram Mining Company owned by Gali Janardhana Reddy and the other is a iron ore trading company that invested money in Sakshi. This superb "exploration" was carried out by the media after a CBI enquiry revealed this known fact! Some snippets of this exploring report- "In June 2007, YSR was seen....at the inaguration of ... Brahmani steels". Seen? Yo NDTV - he actually inagurated it! One more - "NDTV visited the address ...". Let's leave it at there and revisit this point later in the article.

ohh, by the way, a mandatory reading before reading this piece is Part 1 , otherwise the context is not set correctly.

Bro. Anil Kumar

Can you possibly imagine the outrage on english TV media, if Yeddyurappa's father-in-law's son-in-law's nephew's sister's husband used hundred rupees of public money for a purely religious event?

Let's now get to the point :)

In 2008, suddenly we saw a spurt of banners in Hyderabad, through which we were introduced to Brother Anil Kumar.

(pic courtesy, rediff)

Many of us did not know who Bro. Anil Kumar was. Since it was around Christmas time, we thought that this was another evangelist organising a gathering. And then it was revealed that Bro. Anil Kumar is none other than the son-in-law of the Chief Minister, Y.S.Rajashekar Reddy! And now all that sudden publicity overdrive made lot of sense. The opposition parties began questioning the source of funds (not just the "communal" BJP but even "secular" TDP. so...) for Bro.Anil Kumar's little known evangelical organisation, Anil World Evangelism. Suddenly from nowhere, where is he getting the money to spend crores on publicity and is able to mobilise lakhs of people (even in other cities)? Was government machinery used for these purposes? Was undue influence used so as to favour the Chief Minister's son-in-law? How come a relatively unknown organisation, Anil World Organisation suddenly get so rich?

The Bayyaram Mining Lease

• Bayyaram is a mandal in Khammam district of Andhra Pradesh.
• The above mentioned organisation, Anil World Evangelism is registered in the same apartment complex as that of another company, Rakshana Steels.
• The Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation had entered into a joint venture agreement with - hold your breath - Rakshana Steels for mining iron ore in Khammam and Warangal districts in February 2009 when YSR was the chief minister.

Now that's an address NDTV never visited, despite there being a huge uproar in the state back in 2010! A random report was filed though. "It is alleged" blah blah.

You want to take a guess on how much land was given on lease - 1.37 lakh acres. Ofcourse, Rakhsana steels denied that Bro.Anil Kumar was holding any position in their company. Until the next day when regional newspapers published details of registered addresses of both companies in the same apartments! (unfortunately I am not able to find a snapshot of those reports. If only telugu newspapers maintained a proper archive section, life would be so much easier. Sigh!)

And so now we have the spectacle of 1.37 lakh acres of land being alloted for iron ore mining, to a company that is promoted by Bro.Anil Kumar (I won't even bother using the word "alleged" here!). Mark it in bold people - The Chief Minister's son-in-law is given a lease to mine iron ore over 1.37 lakh acres. Investigative media like the NDTV did not find the time to neither visit the address nor express outrage.

Spirited opposition attacks on the government in Assembly elicited this response from the govt. - Rakshana Steels will only transport the steel from the mining area. Actual mining will be done by the government only! And if you still insist that this is a opposition conspiracy, then you need to answer why this same Congress government at the centre cancelled the lease in August 2010 (after YSR's death and Jagan's revolt), that it only allowed in the first place?

MAYTAS Land deals

Remember Satyam? No no, am not trying to accuse YSR of the scam done by Ramalinga Raju! Ramalinga Raju's son owned MAYTAS infrastructure (reverse SATYAM and you get MAYTAS! This is how Raju created tens of bogus companies to carry out his scams - shuffle letters, rearrange them etc etc). MAYTAS was given infrastructure deals worth Rs.30,000 crore !! And they were given deals into projects that they have had no prior experience and are not some small building a mall or a road kind of projects. One project was to build a port! The other famous project, which eventually had to be scrapped and re-drawn again, was the Hyderabad metro! This article by a known opponent of the Metro rail project is very revealing as to how Maytas was getting good real estate for cheap. Out of the blue, MAYTAS was favoured. Ofcourse, after the scam broke out, when asked - YSR said that all deals have been given to consortiums so not a big problem if one of them fails!

DPEP scam

A curosry mention of this scam was made in part-1 but wanted to touch this briefly here. The person standing behind YSR in the below picture is an extremely well-known face to the people of AP.

His name is Sureedu. He was almost ALWAYS seen with YSR everywhere he goes. He had no official position till 2008. After objections from many quarters, YSR appointed him as one of his security officers and therefore his position became official! Most of us just thought he was just YSR's lucky charm or something like that.Until the DPEP scam broke out!

DPEP is the District Primary Education Program, run on funds that the central government gives to the states. By now, we are used to and have become immune to small scams in all departments and programs. When the scam first broke out, the mood was the same. A former teacher from Kadapa district, Sarasa Devi connived with an accountant Subramanyam, to open a fake bank accounts and eat money that was left over in DPEP funds. When the scam first came out, a fraud case for Rs. 7.40 crore was filed.

And guess whose name the accountant took in the investigations? He said that Sarasa Devi could run this show with the help of ..... Sureedu ! The amount maybe small, but the shock value was quite high. YSR promptly instituted a judicial commission that promptly said Sureedu is not guilty!

The EMAAR-APIIC scam

ok folks - this will be last scam to be discussed. I guess we are really reaching a break point here! There are two primary reasons for mentioning this scam.

• This scam was unearthed by a serving Congress minister in the state, D.L.Ravindra Reddy. He says that this scam can easily be estimated at Rs.10,000/- crore.
• The timing of the government raids on properties concerning this deal. Let's get into the details.

Those of us who watch TV news regularly in AP are very familiar with this man, Ambati Rambabu

Ambati Rambabu, along with a few others, were the most vociferous spokespersons of Congress party, on TV. To be frank, Rambabu is a good orator and a good argumentative guy. His rhetoric though got boring after a while. He was steadfast in supporting YSR and the congress party in all TV debates. You could see the loyalty and passion in his arguments. (A shameless plug here :) - Ambati Rambabu was on his rhetorical drive on drought situation in AP, in one of the TV debates. I could call in to the debate, and asked him only one Q - Can you list out the specific things the govt did to control this drought - guess the answer. He said, nothing specific has been done so far! This was on channel TV5 some 2 years back!).

Anyways, getting back to the point. After YSR's death, amongst all those vociferous spokespersons of the Congress party, only Rambabu voiced support for Jagan. Right from day 1, Rambabu has been scathing in his criticism of the Rosiah govt, Sonia Gandhi and high in his praise of Jagan. You should see the debates to believe his high energy levels. So now officially Rambabu is against the congress govt and is a Jagan loyalist.

And hence the witch hunt begins! Rambabu was the chairman of AP Industrial Infrastructure Coporation (APIIC). APIIC is the organisation that gives permissions for various SEZs and IT campuses to come up in the state (Now you get the importance of this position? :D). APIIC entered into a deal with EMAAR in 2002 (yeah, when TDP was in power!) to construct a township project near Hyderabad. 74% to EMAAR, 26% to APIIC. After Congress came into power, this deal was diluted in such a way that APIIC will get about 6.5%. Plus, apparently more than half the villas/plots in this township have been officially sold at Rs.5000 per sq yard, but unofficially at Rs. 45,000 per sq yard! The calculation was done by the Congress minister himself, and therefore we now had the spectacle of the Rosaih government conducting raids on establishments that entered into a deal with YSR government! Indian Express explores if APIIC is robbed left, right and centre here. Wonder why NDTV never "explored" this?

The above cited project is just example. There have been a deluge of reports in the media about more such "deals" by APIIC, only after Rambabu was kicked out from the Congress.

Everyone is clean as long as they are in Congress and hail the High Command. The minute you stop doing either of them - you become corrupt and raids happen on your establishments. So the Congress High Command was sleeping all these years?

Still if you are keen, happy cursory reading on the Outer ring road scam, temple land scam,Jalayagnam scams (also mentioned in part-1 in some detail), Nadergul land scam . Where there is land, there is a scam!

And please note again - ministers of Congress party are themselves filing cases against corruption done when Congress party was in power; office bearers of Congress party are accusing the son of their former CM of mammoth corruption!

I am not mentioning the scams that happen below the level of a minister. Those scams, though can be avoided, cannot be blamed on the Chief Minister directly. The above mentioned scams (and the ones in part-1) are mostly at the level of the Chief Minister (along with his family). And that's exactly what differentiates all this loot (by both the central and state government leaders) from all other previous corruption cases - these happened with the direct involvement and knowledge of the highest decision making authorities.

And yet YSR won. How? Coming up in the next blogpost :)

That's all, Your Honour! : Aug 28 - Sep 3

1. On August 11, President of India, Pratibha Patil rejected the mercy petition of three people convicted of assasinating former Prime Minister Raji Gandhi and 18 others in 1991. Many Presidents on have sat on this file, and the decision seemed very logical. These terrorists perpetrated a murderous crime on our citizens and deserved to be hanged. However, what transpired from then on was shocking beyond belief. The dirty politicians from Tamil Nadu bought in "sentiments of Tamils" into the picture. The noises became louder by the day, and believe it or not - the Tamil Nadu assembly adopted a resolution recommending commutation of this death sentence, keeping mind "tamil's sentiments"!! Meanwhile, Madras High Court accepted a petition by the convicts saying that 11 years is an extra-ordinary delay in awarding death sentence to them and therefore the order needs to be relooked. The death sentence has now been stayed for 8 weeks!! This whole thing is simply unacceptable. What does sentiments of tamils have to do with this? These convicts killed people - didn't they have any remorse then? So what if it took 20 years - this is kind of slow death to them, which these buggers so richly deserve. Their act is an act of attack on the country - how can we even think of pardoning them on the basis of a non-existent "tamil sentiment"? What kind of precedence will this set? Already, the loud Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir asked if the reaction would be muted if their Assembly passed a resolution asking for clemency to Afzal Guru? Now the debate will be centered around if Afzal Guru deserves clemency too (Afzal Guru has been convicted in the attack on Parliament). This resolution by Tamil Nadu assemly and the stay by Madras High Court have set such a bad precedence - something which will haunt us for a long time to come.

2. Prime Minister and his cabinet colleagues have declared their assets! 4 ministers, including the great Vilasrao Deshmukh haven't declared their assets yet. Apparently Vilasrao Deshmukh did not find the time to file these details! But that's not the main joke. The main joke is this - Sharad Pawar is worth only Rs. 12 crores! That's all, Your Honour!

అదన్నమాట! : ఆగస్ట్ 31 - సెప్టెంబర్ 3

రాష్ట్రం లో రాజకీయ అనిశ్చితి కొనసా ...గుతూనే ఉంది. రోజూ సిబిఐ విచారణ జరుగు ..తూనే ఉంది.

ఇది అంతా జగనన్న వర్గానికి చెందినా ఎంఎల్ఏలను నిరాస పరచడానికే అని అనిపిస్తుంది. విచారణ ఎంత పొడిగిస్తే, అంత ఎక్కువ సమయం వీలన్ని బుజ్జగించడానికి / బెదిరించడానికి కాంగ్రెస్స్ వాళ్ళకి దొరుకుతుంది. జగన్ ని అర్రెస్ట్ చేస్తారు అని ఊహాగానాలు పుట్టిస్తున్నారు. కాదు, కేవలం ఆస్తుల్ని జప్తు చేస్తారు అని ఇంకో ఊహాగానం పుట్టిస్తున్నారు. మరి ఇలా అయితే, మీ పరిస్థితి ఏంటి అని ఎంఎల్ఏలను ప్రలోభ పెట్టడానికి ప్రయత్నాలు జరుగుతున్నాయి. స్పీకర్ గారు కూడా రోజుకి ఇద్దరు ఎంఎల్ఏలను మాత్రమె కలుస్తున్నారు. మరి బుజ్జగిస్తున్నారో, వాళ్ళ మాటలు వింటున్నారో ఎవరికీ తెలిదు. ఇది ఇలా ఉండగా, జగనన్న ఇవ్వాళ తన వర్గపు ఎంఎల్ఏలను కలుస్తున్నారు. ఇప్పటి వరకు రాజీనామా చేసిన 26 మంది కాకుండా, ఇంకా మరి కొంత మంది చేత రాజీనామాలు చేయించాలి అని జగనన్న అలోచిస్తునట్లు ఇంకో పుకారు పుట్టింది. మొత్తం కలిపితే, రాష్ట్రం లో రాజకీయ అనిశ్చితి ఇప్పుడు అప్పుడే అంతం అయ్యేది లాగ లేదు.

ఇది ఇలా ఉండగా, తెలంగాణా ఉద్యోగులు ఈ నెల 13 నుంచి సమ్మె చేస్తారు అంట. అట్టేందర్ దగ్గర నుంచి గజేట్టేడ్ ఆఫీసర్ దాక అందరు పని మానేస్తారు అంట. అంటే, మళ్ళి ఇంకో అనిశ్చితి కి తెర లేగావనుంది. అదన్నమాట!

The Great Loot of Andhra Pradesh...

• The above banner headline reads: Rs. 45Cr + 3 1/2 years = Rs. 3,053.90 crores!
• The caricature is Y.S.Jagan Mohan Reddy, s/o late CM of Andhra Pradesh from Congress, Y.S.Rajasekhar Reddy.
• This headline was in the telugu newspaper, eenadu.
• This headline is not a recent one.
• And most importantly, this loot of Rs.3,000 crores is not the only loot that has been perpetuated on the people of Andhra Pradesh in the past 7 years. This is just a sample.

Let's briefly look into the math of the above headline before proceeding further to explain the growth of the YS empire. Raghuram Cements was bought over by a new company called Bharathi Cements. Bharathi is the name of Jagan Mohan Reddy's wife. The YS family gets about 4.5 crore shares alloted to them at Rs.10/- per share. Companies like India Cements, Dalmiya Cements suddenly bought premium shares for much higher amounts and invest about Rs.250 crores for a 31% share! The YS family owns 69% of the company with an investment of Rs. 45 crores. Others invested about Rs.250 crores with 31% share, into a company that hasn't even begun manufacturing! The article later goes on to explain how this 69% share holding rose in its value to about Rs. 3000/- crores in just 3 1/2 years.

The detailed math and financial transactions are way too complicated for my understanding. The route used by the companies of YS family is so circutous, it makes your mind go into a tizzy. Simple example. The company that invested 69% into Bharati Cements is Jagati Publications. Jagati Publications (named by combining Jagan's name and his wife Bharati's name) owns Sakshi newspaper. Shares were alloted to YS family in this company too, for Rs. 10/- !! Deloitte values this company for Rs.3,500 crore, and therefore the value of YS family shares jumps to thousands of crores!

Let's leave all the math jargon aside. Let's assume that all this is a propaganda by the opposition and a media that is against the Congress. Let's just go by facts present in the public domain (the charts presented below have been picked up from TDP's website, who in turn have picked it up from documents available in public domain).

Y.S Family in 2004.

YS Family ownership in 2005 (1 year after YSR became CM of AP)

YS Family ownership in 2006

YS Family ownership in 2007 (when Bharati cements also got added!)

Let's also for a moment assume that the above material presented at TDP's website is also bogus. Jagan, in his 2011 election affidavit said he has ownership in the following 11 companies!

• Sandur Power
• Saraswati Power
• Carmel Asia Holdings
• Bharathi Cement Corp
• Kealawn Technologies Pvt Ltd
• Marvel Infrastructure
• Classic Realty
• Silicon Builders
• Swasti Power Engineering Ltd

First post also mentions that Sandur power has 4 subsidiaries atleast:

• Classic Realty
• Harish Infrastructure
• Capstone Infra
• Silicon Builders

Is your mind in a tizzy now? Has it been blown away by the complications of companies, percentages, ownership, subsidiaries and the wealth discussed above? Here's more official information:

Jagan declared the value of his assets as Rs.365 crore in 2011. Another ~Rs47 crore in the name of his wife. He is the richest MP in the annals of Indian history, with no close competition in sight in the near future! Guess how much his declared earnings were in 2003? ~Rs.9 lakh!! In 2009 - it was Rs.77.40 crores. From a mere 10 lakhs in 2003 to tens of crores in 2009 to hundreds of crores in 2011 - this is one musical journey for Jagan Mohan Reddy and YSR's family!

Almost every company mentioned above received some largesse or the other from the government (both the centre and the state were ruled by the Congress during this time). Each of these investors have recieved some largesse (in terms of land, investments, loans, rules etc). Now, are you wondering how come no media highlighted this? Take a look at the snapshot below.

The above snapshot is a small collection of headlines from the popular telugu daily, eenadu. Eenadu, along with another newspaper Andhra Jyothy, has revealed many such corruption sagas by the YS family and the other members of the Congress government. Slowly, a momentum was built saying both these newspapers were partisan; never exposed corruption in TDP regime etc

When TDP and other opposition parties discussed the share holding details in animated debates in the Assembly - guess what YSR and his stooges replied? They asked Chandrababu Naidu why he was jealous if other companies were making money! The ruling party rubbished pretty much every allegation. YSR even appointed some judicial commissions with retired Judges heading them - ofcourse we know the result (almost none of them submitted any report)! Not satisfied with that, they went on to open a newspaper and a TV channel to counter the "opposition" propaganda!

Sakshi newspaper and TV had two goals in mind - glorify YSR and demonise Chandrababu/Eenadu. If eenadu stories had details about corruption by YS and family, Sakshi would immediately resort to stories of "corruption" by eenadu etc. As if corruption by one group justified corruption by the other! And now suddenly the debate in the state turned to the "media war". The debate was never about corruption anymore - just about how cunning these media people are blah blah.

Even by now, if you are not convinced that public money and power were not misused, here's a minor fact revealed by CAG. Governments are not supposed to place ads in new newspapers, unless they publish continously for six months. Guess for which newspaper this rule was broken?? Full page ads in Sakshi newspaper right from day one! That's your money down the drain there! Sakshi paper was established for government propaganda and on top of that - full page ads!

The above mentioned details are just of THE empire. We have not even discussed the mammoth corruption in various government schemes and programs, that went on unhindered. Jalayagnam, the pet project of YSR involves construction of "30 major and 18 medium irrigation projects at a cost of Rs. 46,000 crores to provides irrigation to an extent of 73 lakh acres ". From the official website (which incidentally still has a picture of YSR and not the current CM!), "Eight of these projects were to be completed before the kharif season of 2006". Till now, only 12 projects have been completed. Project costs were escalated, tender process was rigged - what not! Even Sonia Gandhi was forced to order an internal probe into this! It was even labelled as "Dhanayagnam" by the opposition! No news about that. Scams unearthed ranged from industries (which involved the current PCC Chief)to education department, and yet not a squeal from the "national" media.

I am sure you people must have heard about "Reddy Brothers" from Karnataka. I am sure you would have assumed by now, given the awesome coverage that they are the epitome of corruption in this country. You must have also heard that through their Obulapuram mining company, the Reddy brothers have manufactured an unprecedent loot of natural resources of this country. Quiz Question - in which state in Obulapuram located? Andhra Pradesh!

This same Obulapuram Mining company also owns "Brahmani Steels" which - hold your breath - reportedly made profits even before it started manufacturing any steel! 10,000 acres of land was alloted to it in Kadapa (Andhra Pradesh) after a cabinet decision by the Congress government in AP in 2007. We were also told that the plant will start manufacturing within 18 months (without any bank loan!) and will beat Vizag Steel Plant in no time (according to latest TOI report, the plant is nowhere close to manufacturing!). Amidst lot of criticism, a successful foundation laying ceremony was also held. I very vividly remember, YSR playing a Quiz master here and asking the Reddy brothers all the questions that the opposition was asking, and the Reddy brothers "refuted" them point by point. And therefore, amidst public, it was decided that this steel project is the awesomest idea ever.

The USP is always the same. Allot shares for yourself at the cheapest price possible. Lure investors to buy shares at a more higher price. Give these investors largesse in terms of land, concessions etc etc. And get away with all the loot.

What has been mentioned in this blog so far is not comprehensive - only because the loot is so large, it is impossible to cover everything in one go! A mining lease was issued to YSR's son-in-law Brother Anil Kumar, which was later cancelled by the centre, very conveniently in 2010. I am sure if we start digging into Brother Anil Kumar's business details.

Please remember, all this loot happened when Jagan was a member of Congress party and his father YSR was heading the Congress government in Andhra Pradesh. Please also remember that YSR was one of the favorite Chief Ministers of the high command led by Sonia Gandhi.

The reason I am mentioning the Congress party so many times is because there has been a concentrated campaign to try to convince people that this loot by the Congress party led by the father-son duo had nothing to do with the Congress party itself! And now, after Jagan Mohan Reddy has resigned from Congress, many leaders from Congress are openly accusing him of misusing power. Many are openly calling him as very corrupt. And when pointed out that all this corruption took place under the guidance of YSR, they went on to say, Jagan misused his father's powers!!

The Andhra Pradesh High Court directed the CBI to investigate these cases. Minor fact that media won't tell you - this case was filed by a Congress minister, Sankar Rao! (a second case was filed by TDP leader, Yerran Naidu). So now, the corruption accusations are no more a opposition and media conspiracy. Have you ever seen a near unanimity amongst all major political parties on such a contentious issue? Leaders of the same Congress party who enjoyed the spoils of power under YSR are saying there was massive corruption; PRP, the party whose main plank was to take on this corruption merged with the Congress because YS family is not in power anymore; TDP, Left, and BJP (the state unit) have been crying hoarse from a long time too!

The regional media, has been shouting from the rooftop of the loot being done in the name of business acumen. From about 6-7 years, they have been very vociferous of the corruption and robbery the YS family has been resorting. This "national" media was no where to be seen or heard. There was one obscure "Devil's advocate" interview by Karan Thapar in which YSR had only one answer - Go the court if you think it is wrong! Other than that, no "exclusives". No stories of the phenomenal growth of THE empire. Atleast, if they thought this was a media war - no story about that either!

The closest any newspaper came was this article in livemint. Just that article is enough to confuse us with the machinations used.

Anyways, Jagan owns two palaces. One in Hyderabad. It is a 74 room palace! The second is in Bangalore. Take a look below

Bangalore palace:

Hyderabad palace:

And what did B.S.Yedyyurappa do? Alloted some government land under CM's discretionary quota to his family members. Remember the outrage by the "national" media? I rest my case.

PS: I would welcome any fact based rebuttal. Please resist from labelling this article as Anti-jagan, anti-congress blah blah. We have crossed that line long back!

Part-2 of this series is here.
Part-3 detailing how YSR won despite this loot is here. 

విరామం తరువాత ...

మీ అందరికి వినాయక చవితి శుభాకాంక్షలు. తెలుగు లో రాసే ఆర్టికల్స్ కి వచ్చిన అంతరాయానికి చింతిస్తున్నా :( . అనివార్య కారణాలు వల్ల రాయలేకపోయాను. గత నెల లో చాల పరిణామాలు చోటు చేసుకున్నాయి. ఇందులో ముఖ్యమైన పరిణామం - జగనన్న మీద సిబిఐ విచారణ !

మాకు ఏమి సంబంధం లేదు, అంతా కోర్ట్ ఆదేశాల మేరకు జరుగుతున్నాయి అని కాంగ్రెస్స్ వాళ్ళు కబుర్లు చెప్తున్నారు. కోర్ట్ లో కాసు వేసింది కాంగ్రెస్ మంత్రి అని మాత్రం చెప్పారు!! ఎప్పుడో జరగాల్సిన విచారణ ఎట్టకేలకు మొదలు అయ్యింది. కాని, జగన్ మరియు యైఎసార్ కాంగ్రెస్స్ లో ఉన్నంత కాలం, ఈ అవినీతి, అక్రమ సంపాదన గుర్తు రాలేదా?? జగన్ అంత దోచుకుంటే, దాంట్లో అసలు వైఎసార్ ప్రమేయం లేదు అంటే నమ్మడానికి జనం ఏమైనా పిచ్చోల్లా ?

జగన్ అవినీతి పరుడు అని ఇప్పుడు కాంగ్రెస్స్ వాళ్ళు కూడా కోడై కూస్తున్నారు ? ఇప్పుడు గుర్తు వచ్చిందా మీకు ? అప్పుడు ఏమో మీరు ఆటను కలిపి దోచుకునప్పుడు ప్రశ్నిస్తే, కొట్టి పారేశారు కదా ఆరోపణలు అన్ని? కాంగ్రెస్స్ నుంచి బయటకి రాగానే, ఈయన అవినీతి పరుడు, అక్రమంగా డబ్బులు సంపాదించాడా ? జగనన్న మీద వేసిన చార్గిశీట్ లో వైఎసార్ పేరు కూడా ఉంది అంట ... ఈ మాట విని 26 మంది ఎమ్యెల్యేలు రాజీనామా చేసారు. ముందు ఏమో వాళ్ళని బుజ్జగించడానికి ప్రయత్నించారు. వాళ్ళు వినకపోవడం తో, ఇప్పుడు ఏమో రాజీనామాలు ఆమోదించ మంటున్నారు. మళ్ళి ఎన్నికలు వస్తాయి, పాలన స్తంబిస్తుంది.

క్రిందటి నెల ఏమో తెలంగాణా ఎమ్యెల్యేలు, మంత్రులు రాజీనామా డ్రామా నడిచింది. మంత్రులు ఏమో ఆఫీస్ కి వెళ్ళడం మానేసారు, ఒక నెల వరకు ! కేంద్ర ప్రభుత్వం, 14(f) ని తీసేసింది అన్న మంత్రులు పని లోకి రావడం మొదలు పెట్టారు. ఇలా పని లోకి వచ్చారో లేదో, జగనన్న ఎమ్యెల్యేలు రాజీనామా ఇచ్చారు. ఇంకా పాలించే సమయం ఎక్కడికి అండి? రాష్ట్రం ఇంత లాగ అతలాకుతలం అవుతూ ఉంటె, పట్టించుకునే నాధుడే లేదు మనకి !

ఇంత హడావడి మధ్యలో , చిరంజీవి గారు రాహుల్ గాంధి సమక్షం లో కాంగ్రెస్స్ లో చేరిపోయారు. మనసులు కలుపుకోవాలి అని కార్యకర్తల్ని ఉద్దేశించి చెప్పారు కూడా. మిగిలిన ఆ కొద్ది పాటి కార్యకర్తులు అయన మాట వినక ఎం చేస్తారు లెండి !

ఈ నెల రోజుల్లో జరిగిన ఏకైక మంచి - మంచి వర్షాలు పడ్డాయి రాష్ట్రం లో. అదన్నమాట!