Credibility is the mainstay of meaningful politics and without it, one cannot find any common ground or the courage and will to face the people. Hence, it makes it all the more important to be more transparent and circumspect in the political domain. TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu has an experience of more than 40 years in politics, but can he do better? Certainly, yes!
The manner in which stampedes are being projected by his party is appalling. Recently in Nellore and Guntur districts, within one week more than 10 people were killed so far and the party immediately announced large compensation to assuage any revolt from its own cadre. So far so good. But beyond that what matters is the will and courage to face things. Blaming a drainage system in Nellore or blaming overcrowding in Guntur will not help out. TDP leaders are boasting that they have impressive turnouts everywhere but is this how they handle any repercussions?
Chandrababu has been a senior most politician in AP with record experience as Chief Minister as well as the opposition leader. But so far there has been no single statement owning responsibility morally from him. Large compensation can be a relief for the families but why crowd management is not being done. If it's not the issue with crowd management, what else could be the issue. Similar incidents within a week cannot be taken with a pinch of salt.
Now the blame game has started as if it's all the police’s fault who haven’t arranged things properly. However, till last week TDP leaders have been blaming the police for not allowing them to hold meetings or in fact, alleging that they are witch-hunting TDP leaders. There has to be some introspection at the party level and what could have gone wrong. In turn, the new blame game has started where TDP leaders are alleging that these are in fact murders planned by YSRCP to show Babu in poor light. Instead, the party should own its mistakes and at least request the police to manage much better. That will save precious lives but this is certainly not the way to deal with such issues. A man who claims to be the saviour of AP cannot remain silent on who owns the responsibility for these killings.
