It is not easy to understand the Andra Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy. Few politicians have had the fortune he has had so early in his career. Of course the privileges have come his way with some attendant challenges too. Whether it be losing his father to an unfortunate helicopter crash, or him being jailed on corruption charges. But Jagan never fails to throw the world a surprise.
Jagan stops the TDP ‘Juggernaut’
Jagan single-handedly stopped the TDP ‘juggernaut’ during the 2019 elections. The upstart outsmarted the old fox, Chandrababu Naidu and the regime changed. While policy decisions of past regimes may technically be subject to change, propriety demands that continuity/ status quo be maintained unless warranted otherwise.
Never Forget Twists and Turns In Tales
Jagan’s out-of-the-(ballot)-box thinking may have helped him. Whether in weathering the political wilderness of the past or in powering him to Chief Minister-ship of a significant state. But for him to stay there, he may need to showcase a lot more qualities. No Leader will ignore the lessons of Economics and/ or of History.
As the previous CM, Chandrababu Naidu had planned for Amaravati as the new Capital of the smaller Andra Pradesh. Most successors may have wished to add two more feathers to their cap or Capital. But our Jagan is no ordinary Mohan. He wishes to two more Capitals. Period!
Three Heads in Jagan’s eState?
After Telangana was hived away from the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, the Capital of Hyderabad was also nominated as Telangana’s capital. As the previous CM, Chandrababu Naidu had planned for Amaravati as the new Capital of the smaller Andra Pradesh. Most successors may have wished to add two more feathers to their cap or Capital. But our Jagan is no ordinary Mohan. He wishes to two more Capitals itself.
The Telugu Tughlaq gets Reddy. No, Gets Better.
Forget the Turkish Tughlaq. Our Telegu Tsar one can do much better. Why bother with just transferring capitals? Seems a little old-fashioned. Our Reddy must have read his Alexander and the unravelling/ cutting of the Gordion Knot. The new Andhra CM is looking at three state capitals, one each for the Legislative, Executive and the Judiciary.
Knots & Crosses. And Of Course, Capitals
Why understand and unravel? Ordinary mortals may spend time unravelling knots. Those destined to be anointed with ‘Greatness’ by grovelling historians just cut their way through. Simply crush/ crash/ cut/ construct/ capitalize their way through. Jagan may find it much more out-of-the-box and ‘capital’ to ‘trifurcate’.
Having a capital and cr-eating two more of it is a brilliant solution to a problem that probably never was.
Having Your Capital & cr-Eating It Too. Infact Two More!
Having a capital and cr-eating two more of it is a brilliant solution to a problem that probably never was. It is not easy having the three L.E.J.ed pillars of democracy (the Legislative, the Executive and the Judiciary) grapple with the potentially limited real estate in one location. New Chief Ministers are best not hamstrung with these. The visionary new CM has seen that the situation could probably give rise to needless heartburn and ‘one-upmanship’. Having a Capital Idea is not small, and having Three of them, is nothing short of incredulous. Incredible Andhra!
That That Pillar, That That Capital.
The Trifurcating Telugu Tughlaq, Jagan Mohan seems a man ahead of his time. Or is he attempting something which happened much earlier in ancient India?. Each pillar may work independent of any other pillar breathing down its neck. Each pillar will thus also feel important, bravely keeping Democracy aloft from its own capital. Slips if any that disturbs democratic reverie may be laid at the door of the other legs of the LEJ Trinity.
Between A Tughlaq And A Tripurantak
One only hopes that these three Capitals do not end up representing the mythical/ historical three cities of Tripura, that Lord Shiva destroyed in the days of yore. The destruction was warranted due to the excesses and moral degeneration of their rulers. Maybe good governance is a good first step to saving the three cities. But then, maybe having three capitals itself may not be a sign of great governance principles.
‘Sab Thael (Oil) Hain‘, The Virus May Complain.
The idea of trifurcation, otherwise, is so simple that is carries the marks of Jagenius. A simple way to ensure real estate and other segments of the economy get a boost. The wheels of economy are kept in motion. Not just in one all-in-one capital, Amaravati. Now two more locations will prosper. All across these pockets, a lot is already changing hands. These transactions in cash and kind also oil an economy smarting under the corona virus pandemic. ‘Sab Mohan Hain!’ Putting all the eggs in one basket is surely not a very prudent way to feather the nest. Three sounds a decent number.
Prudence Prevails Over ‘Protestant-ism’
Jagan may have built on a ‘grieving-son’ image as he stormed into power in the 2019 Assembly Elections in Andhra Pradesh. He not only managed a thumping majority in the state assembly, but his party also managed to send the maximum Members from Andhra Pradesh to the Indian Parliament. He had somehow managed to woo majority voters too, by meeting Hindu spiritual leaders. Photo-ops with Pundits have been a good political foil for this Protestant’s avowed adherence to Christianity.
The Chief Minister as Chief Missionary
As promised by him in the election campaign, Jagan has increased the financial aid for Muslims and Christians wishing to travel to Mecca and Jerusalem. Nothing truly catholic about it, just secular governance. The public need not have been surprised. Soon after the Chief Missionary of Andhra Pradesh became the Chief Minister, he paid his respects at Jerusalem.
Jagat Missionary – Mission To Serve Minorities
Surely Mohan is not a mean person, to have gone alone. A true ruler cares for his/ her subjects, and in the best tradition of Charity beginning at home, he has generously taken his entire family along. What is Rs 23 Lakhs for this rich Bharati-ya businessman? Is it even polite to be accusing this hard working son of the soil? Accusing him of living off the State. Perish the thought. He who has undertaken 3600 Kms of ‘padayatra’ across Andhra deserves some respect.
The Guy With The Gall
His only wish was/ is to ‘work for’ (some may uncharitably say, ‘woo’) minorities by increasing subsidy for their pilgrimages. How many of them have the gall to patronize the minority with more goodies. Those goodies which have been taken from the majority in the first place.
Paul’s Perks & Payments To His Pastor
Increasing Paul’s perks and also paying his Pastor out of the pickings from the Pundit’s pocket may seem a no-brainer. But still requires a guy with gall to go ahead and give generously. The Missionary CM’s ‘Dil Maange More’ surely. Maybe Jagan could look at jaziya?
A trip to Europe at the taxpayer’s expense is just reward for Jagan. It would only motivate Jagan to serve the people more. With Corona fears all around, the junket outing may just not be easy; at least not this Calendar year.
Four Full Years – Local Padayatras Passe, Global Pilgrimages Beckon
Had Jagan and his family been Roman Catholics, maybe the treasury would have seen an additional expense through their visit to the Vatican, to pay their respects to the Supreme Pontiff, the Pope. But that still cannot be ruled out. A trip to Europe at the taxpayer’s expense is just reward for Jagan. It would only motivate Jagan to serve the people more. With Corona fears all around, the junket outing may just not be easy; at least not this Calendar year. But why moan? Jagan’s morning has just begin. Four full years to go.
Ghosts of Tughlaq’s Ancestors May Finally Rest In Peace
After Rome/ the Vatican, maybe Istanbul (Byzantium, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire) needs a dekko? For this Young Telugu Turk, Turkey may not be a bad idea. The Ghost of Tughlaq and those of his Turkish ancestors, would be more at ease. Some mothers do have them. Surely Mohammed Bin Tughlaq’s mother is not alone.
