Two consummate leaders with immense public appeal and masterly strategies are now engaged in a no-holds barred battle. They have turned the state into a mighty chessboard and are moving their pawns at will. Each is trying to undercut the others and are trying to outplay one another. In this massive battle, the real issues are being pushed under the carpet, say analysts.
First it was Chandrababu Naidu, who began his pro-Amaravati padayatra. He wanted to reignite the issue and reap political benefits by mobilizing the farmers of Amaravati region. However, Jagan went a step further and invoked the three-capital issue. He said a bill would soon be introduced in the legislative assembly. This put Chandrababu Naidu in a spot of bother.
But, he soon regained his composure and went hammer and tongs against the three-capitals issue. However, to get one up on Chandrababu Naidu, Jagan has raised the issue of renaming of the NTR health university. He changed the name to Dr YSR health university. The pro-TDP media, Chandrababu Naidu and the people of the community to which NTR belongs were up in arms against this proposal. They are now planning massive agitations.
Interestingly, all major issues like joblessness, poor financial status of the state and bad condition of the roads were swept under the carpet. Two non-issues hogged the limelight and everyone began talking about these two issues. Now the whole state has been converted into a chess board with both the key leaders playing the game of attrition.
