Political Diary

The downcast mood at the Congress headquarters mirrored the dark, overcast sky on Wednesday. Their concern was palpable and a desperate search for "good news" saw them huddled before TV sets at 24, Akbar Road. On his way to the airport in the evening, en route to Hyderabad, law minister Veerappa Moily told TOI, "We still have no news. But operations will go on through the night. I am worried by the developments, but we are doing all we can. ISRO has been asked to help locate the missing chopper." Apart from central leaders, Andhra Pradesh MPs were also airdashing to Hyderabad. The downcast mood was understandable as Y S Rajasekhara Reddy or "YSR" has forded the Vindhyas to demonstrate how a leader from the South could make himself a key influence with the party leadership, while emerging as a satrap who towers above other regional bosses. The 2009 Lok Sabha polls entrenched YSR on the national scene, even though he was happy with a state role. The canvas that was explored by leaders like Sharad Pawar, Lalu Prasad and Mulayam Singh Yadav is now YSR's, but his impact was more behind the scene as far as the Centre is concerned. But it cannot be understated with a tally of 33 MPs when Congress was not expected to touch half of its 2004 tally of 29. YSR did this even as his views on Telangana were uncompromising and the collapse of Satyam hurt. He returned to power all by himself backing his instincts fiercely and delivered a huge leg up to the Congress. The surprise victory — not for him — made him a legend overnight. For a heavily centralised AICC not given to accommodating satraps, Reddy has managed to carve a place for himself as a regional heavyweight, even reviving a non-existent phenomenon. He has done this without losing his tag as a firm 10, Janpath favourite. As a state boss, he seems to have left behind satraps like J B Patnaik of Orissa and, on a much smaller scale of political significance, Bhajan Lal. Reddy consciously kept the central leadership on his side, delivering key promises on time. His role in breaking Telugu Desam Party ahead of July 22 confidence vote, despite the MPs being under the close watch of their chief Chandrababu Naidu, also endeared himself to the powers-that-be. The success of 'tiger of Cuddapah' to have his way with high command marks his importance as an organiser. And the fear of any calamity leaving a void in its wake is writ large on the faces worried about the party's future in Andhra Pradesh. Reddy has not just authored a roadmap to bring down Telugu Desam Party chieftain Chandrababu Naidu, he has also chartered the party through a difficult phase when it had to confront hostile elements like TRS and an agenda of bifurcation which may have cost him his place with the constituents in Rayalaseema and Coastal regions. With a mix of stubbornness, a strongarm approach and shrewd politics, the organiser-in-chief has moulded a dissidence-ridden unit into a cohesive machine, though not without ruffling feathers. While in the process he earned a fair share of detractors, he has been helped by a trusting leadership which has thrown its lot behind him whenever delegations have come knocking at 10, Janpath. The resultant stability has proved a boon for Congress by neutralising the 'Telugu pride' card which regional outfit Telugu Desam has played to trip it. It is not for nothing that workers are worried and the leadership is hoping for the best.