Telangana Rashtra Samithi 2001: A Comprehensive History

 

QUESTION:  Telangana Rashtra Samithi 2001

Answer: Telangana Rashtra Samithi 2001: A Comprehensive History

Introduction

The formation of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in 2001 marked a pivotal moment in the history of the Telangana movement, a decades-long struggle for the creation of a separate state for the Telugu-speaking people of the Telangana region in the erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh. The movement, rooted in cultural, economic, and political grievances, gained significant momentum with the establishment of the TRS, a political party dedicated to achieving statehood for Telangana. Founded by Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao, popularly known as KCR, the TRS emerged as the torchbearer of a movement that sought to address the perceived discrimination and neglect faced by the Telangana region within the unified Andhra Pradesh. This essay delves into the history of the TRS in 2001, exploring its formation, key events, prominent figures, organizational developments, and the socio-political context that shaped its early years. It provides a detailed narrative of the party’s inception, its immediate impact, and the groundwork it laid for the eventual creation of Telangana as India’s 29th state in 2014.

The Genesis of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi was formally launched on April 27, 2001, at Jala Drushyam in Hyderabad, a city that would later become the focal point of the statehood debate. The party was founded by K. Chandrashekar Rao, a seasoned politician who had previously been a prominent leader in the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), serving as the Deputy Speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. Rao’s decision to resign from his position in the TDP and the assembly was driven by his conviction that the people of Telangana were systematically marginalized within the unified state of Andhra Pradesh. He argued that the region faced discrimination in resource allocation, employment opportunities, and water distribution, issues that could only be resolved through the creation of a separate Telangana state with Hyderabad as its capital.

The roots of the Telangana movement can be traced back to the 1950s, when the region, then part of the princely state of Hyderabad under the Nizam’s rule, was merged with Andhra Pradesh in 1956 following the States Reorganisation Act. Despite the “Gentleman’s Agreement” of 1956, which promised safeguards for Telangana’s interests, the region’s leaders and people felt that successive governments had failed to honor these commitments. The discontent manifested in agitations during the 1960s and 1970s, most notably the 1969 Telangana movement, which saw violent protests and the tragic loss of over 370 lives. By the late 1990s, the demand for statehood had resurfaced, fueled by economic disparities and cultural suppression. The creation of new states like Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh in November 2000 provided a fresh impetus to the Telangana cause, inspiring leaders like KCR to take decisive action.

KCR’s resignation from the TDP on April 27, 2001, was a bold move that signaled his commitment to the Telangana cause. He announced the formation of the TRS on the same day, articulating a single-point agenda: the creation of a separate Telangana state. The party’s launch was not a spontaneous decision but the culmination of extensive deliberations with intellectuals, activists, and community leaders. Among the key figures who supported KCR was Professor Jayashankar, a revered ideologue of the Telangana movement. Jayashankar’s intellectual contributions, rooted in his deep understanding of the region’s history and socio-economic challenges, provided a theoretical foundation for the TRS. His emphasis on cultural revivalism and self-governance resonated with the party’s vision, making him a guiding force in its early days.

Early Organizational Structure and Symbolism

In its nascent stage, the TRS focused on building a grassroots organization to mobilize public support. The party was registered with the State Election Commission on June 16, 2001, and subsequently with the Election Commission of India on August 21, 2001, under Section 29-A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. This formal recognition allowed the TRS to contest elections and establish itself as a legitimate political entity. The Election Commission allotted the party the “Haldar within wheel” symbol initially, but the TRS later adopted the “Car” symbol, which was drawn on a pink rectangular flag. The car symbolized the party’s promise to uplift the socio-economic conditions of Telangana’s people, particularly the marginalized farmers and peasants, by ensuring prosperity and mobility.

The TRS’s early organizational efforts were centered in the ten districts of Telangana: Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, Medak, Nizamabad, Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Khammam, Nalgonda, and Mahbubnagar. KCR, as the party’s president, leveraged his political experience and charisma to rally support. The party’s leadership included a mix of seasoned politicians and new entrants, many of whom were drawn to the cause of Telangana statehood. Notable early supporters included Aelay Narendra, a former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP who merged his Telangana Sadhana Samithi with the TRS in 2001, strengthening the party’s regional presence.

The TRS’s first public meeting, named “Simha Garjana” (Lion’s Roar), was held on May 17, 2001, in Karimnagar, a stronghold of separatist sentiment. KCR’s speech at this event set the tone for the party’s campaign. He highlighted the economic exploitation of Telangana, citing examples such as the closure of the Fertilizer Corporation plant in Ramagundam while similar efforts were made to protect a steel plant in Visakhapatnam, an Andhra region. He accused successive governments of neglecting Telangana’s farmers, weavers, and adivasis, promising that the TRS would lead a non-violent movement to achieve statehood. This commitment to a democratic struggle distinguished the TRS from earlier Maoist-backed attempts to revive the Telangana movement, which had failed to gain mainstream traction.

Initial Electoral Success and Challenges

Within sixty days of its formation, the TRS made a remarkable impact in local body elections, winning one-third of the Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTC) and one-quarter of the Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTC) in Siddipet, KCR’s home constituency. This early success demonstrated the party’s ability to connect with the masses and established it as a credible representative of the Telangana cause. The victories also attracted support from diverse quarters, including 41 Congress legislators who appealed to their party’s high command to support statehood as early as August 2000, a sentiment that gained further traction with the TRS’s emergence.

The TRS’s first major public meeting after its formation was held on June 21, 2001, in Warangal, further solidifying its presence in north Telangana. The party’s message of cultural revivalism, inspired by figures like Kaloji Narayana Rao and Jayashankar, resonated with the people. The TRS emphasized the importance of Telangana’s distinct identity, language, and festivals, such as Bathukamma, which would later be declared a state festival under KCR’s government. The party also highlighted the injustices in river water allocation, particularly the Krishna and Godavari rivers, which were seen as favoring the Andhra region at Telangana’s expense.

Despite its early successes, the TRS faced significant challenges. The party’s demand for an exclusive election symbol was rejected by the Election Commission on February 10, 2003, citing the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, which did not provide for such provisions for newly formed parties. This decision complicated the TRS’s electoral strategy, as it had to rely on temporary symbols until regular elections. Moreover, the political landscape was dominated by established parties like the Congress and the TDP, which had deep-rooted networks and resources. The TRS, as a new entrant, had to navigate these challenges while maintaining its focus on the statehood agenda.

Political Alliances and Strategic Moves

In 2003, the TRS organized a rally to take the Telangana issue to the national level, marking a significant step in elevating the movement’s visibility. KCR was elected as the convenor of the separate statehood movement, a role that underscored his growing stature as the face of the Telangana cause. The party’s strategy was twofold: first, to build a mass movement by engaging students, intellectuals, artists, and civil society groups; and second, to expose the exploitation faced by Telangana in areas like water allocation, employment, and budgetary resources.

The TRS’s early years were also marked by its efforts to address specific grievances through institutional mechanisms. In June 2001, the one-man Girglani Commission was appointed to investigate violations of Government Order 610, which aimed to ensure equitable employment opportunities for Telangana residents. Devi Prasad, the secretary of the Telangana Employees Union Joint Action Committee, played a key role in advocating for these issues. The commission’s findings highlighted the systemic biases against Telangana, further fueling the TRS’s narrative of discrimination.

By 2004, the TRS had gained enough traction to form a strategic alliance with the Indian National Congress, which included a promise of Telangana statehood in its manifesto. This alliance proved fruitful in the 2004 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections, where the TRS won 26 assembly seats and five Lok Sabha seats, including KCR’s victory in the Karimnagar constituency. KCR was appointed as the Union Cabinet Minister of Labour and Employment in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The inclusion of the Telangana issue in the UPA’s Common Minimum Programme and its mention in speeches by President Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Singh marked a significant milestone for the TRS.

However, the alliance with the Congress was short-lived. By September 2006, the TRS withdrew its support from the UPA, citing the central government’s indecision on Telangana statehood. On September 13, 2006, KCR triggered a by-election in his Karimnagar Lok Sabha constituency, resigning to protest the delay in fulfilling the Congress’s electoral promise. He won the subsequent by-election with a strong majority, reinforcing his leadership and the TRS’s commitment to the cause. In April 2008, all TRS MLAs and MPs resigned en masse when the central government failed to address the statehood demand in its budget session, a bold move that underscored the party’s unwavering focus.

Cultural and Social Mobilization

The TRS’s early years were not limited to electoral politics; the party played a crucial role in mobilizing cultural and social forces to strengthen the Telangana movement. It drew inspiration from literary figures, poets, and artists who celebrated Telangana’s unique identity. The party’s efforts to propagate the ideologies of Kaloji Narayana Rao and Jayashankar emphasized the importance of cultural revivalism and self-governance. Events like the “Telangana Garjana” public meeting on January 6, 2003, at Zymkhana Grounds in Secunderabad, galvanized public support and showcased the TRS’s ability to organize large-scale gatherings.

The TRS also collaborated with the Telangana Political Joint Action Committee (TJAC), a coalition of political parties, student groups, and civil society organizations. M. Kodandaram, a professor and the convenor of the TJAC, emerged as a key figure in coordinating these efforts. The TJAC’s formation in 2009, though beyond the scope of 2001, had its roots in the TRS’s early mobilization strategies. The party’s engagement with diverse groups, including Dalit-Bahujan organizations, women’s groups, and employee unions, transformed the Telangana movement into a mass agitation, setting the stage for the intense protests of the late 2000s and early 2010s.

Conclusion

The establishment of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi in 2001 was a turning point in the struggle for Telangana statehood, providing a unified political platform for a movement that had been fragmented for decades. Under the leadership of K. Chandrashekar Rao, the TRS harnessed the region’s grievances—economic exploitation, cultural suppression, and political marginalization—to build a robust organization that resonated with the masses. The party’s early successes in local elections, strategic alliances, and cultural mobilization laid a strong foundation for its eventual triumph in 2014, when Telangana was formed as a separate state. The TRS’s journey from a fledgling party to a dominant political force in Telangana reflects the resilience and determination of its leaders and supporters. By addressing the aspirations of the people through a democratic and inclusive approach, the TRS not only achieved its goal of statehood but also redefined the political landscape of Telangana, leaving a lasting legacy in India’s federal structure.