Political uncertainty, turmoil and unrest dominated the State during the year which has seen chaos in political, social, entertainment and sports canvas which has seen bureaucrats, politicians and entrepreneurs going to jail while CBI and legal terminology getting a wide coverage in the media.
Telangana issue has been dragged and the unrest has reached the Parliament with Congress MPs disrupting the proceedings and holding placards against the Centre a phenomenon unheard of earlier. Just before the voting on FDI in retail sector, Centre has announced an All party meeting an eight parties expressed their opinion on Telangana.
While Congress opinion was divided, TDP opinion was ambiguous, CPI, TRS and BJP strongly voting for a separate state and CPM resolutely saying no and YSRCP putting the ball in Centre’s court and MIM batting for a united state and if there is a division, Rayalaseema and Telangana should be merged.
The State government had waded through a no-confidence motion moved by the opposition and some of the Congress MLAs crossing floor but not before the PRP contingent merging with the ruling party. By-elections were held which strengthened YSR Congress even as YS Jagan Mohan Reddy was arrested by CBI after three days of questioning in the Disproportionate Assets case.
Legal jargon has become household phrases with the wide media coverage of court proceedings and bail petitions as many ministers and bureaucrats were either jailed or were facing charges in various scams. Former Karnataka Minister too was tried in the state court and the legal world had a setback with a CBI special court judge being held for taking bribe to give bail to an accused.
On the political front, the cabinet seems to be not very united and ministers facing charges, uncertainty looming large over their future, things just moved though there were some vociferous voices of dissent. There were floor crossings and fence-sitters had a good time.
Many scams were unfolded the liquor scam had kicked up the stink to Delhi. There were reports or little or no communication between the party and government (heads) while many leaders deserted TDP and TRS winning all the seats, barring Mahbubnagar which was taken up BJP in Telangana.
The Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen withdrew support to Congress and there were war of words between Chief Minister and Owaisi while the winter session of Assembly could not be convened though there was a special session to pass the SC ST Sub Plan Bill. CBI Joint Director VV Lakshminarayana became a controversial figure and media had mixed relation with him.
The entertainment industry had its own share of controversies with heated and provocative statements issued by versatile persons and young heroes as well.
Mohammad Azharuddin got some relief by High Court but Pulllela Gopichand was named in a harassment case in Mumbai High Court. VVS Laxman stunned the cricket fraternity by suddenly announcing his retirement.
Power tariff and hike in bus charges have burdened the common man very much and the decision of collecting arrears in the form of Fuel Adjustment Charges drew flak. Chiraneevi was rewarded with a cabinet berth for saving the State Government by merging his PRP with Congress. (INN)