Monday, October 17, 2011

Telangana Sakala Janula Samme fizzling out..?

Andhra Pradesh has been going through a period of uncertainity which is caused by the agitation for Telangana state. The agitation has gone through several forms during the last two years. Presently, an indefinite  general strike - Sakala Janula Samme (All People's Strike) - is being observed across the region. It is already more than a month old.

After a successful month long strike, the SJS received a severe jolt on Oct 15, when one of the participant organisations- the RTC employees' Joint  Action Committee - has withdrawn from the Sakala Janula Samme (SJS). Though different reasons were given for the withdrawal, the actual reason looks to be that the employees are fatigued out due to the month long strike.

There is every possibility that this fatigue will quickly spread to the other constituents of the strike, because it has been very taxing on the employees' pockets. Already there are voices from Teachers, expressing to resume teaching at Schools. The workers of Singareni Collieries may also make a decision on Monday when they sit across the Table for discussions with the Management.

Moreover, the striking employees are under the impression that the strike, though is supposed to be of "All sections of the people",  is limited only to the employees, teachers and the workers of RTC and Singareni. They are particularly unhappy with the political leaders of Telangana Congress, who, the employees say,  are simply giving lip sympathy rather than participating actively in teh strike. The leader of Employees JAC, Swami Goud expressed this publicly on more than one occasion.

The Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC) which is the chief organiser of SJS received another jolt on Oct 15, when the State Minister Janareddy appealed to the striking employees to call off the strike in the wider interests of the people. He spoke to the reporters along with other ministers of teh State Government. Janareddy is the President of the Steering committee of Telangana Congress leaders which coordinates their actions, which makes his announcement that much more important. His announcement, coupled with the withdrawal of RTC employees will have profound impact on the continuance of the strike. 

Though Kodandaram, the Chairman of TJAC, put up a brave face in front of the reporters, the anxiety on his face did not go unnoticed.

The coming few days will be crucial for the Telangana agitation, for, the success or failure of SJS will have a profound bearing on the agitation.