So the Government has finally agreed to the formation of Telangana state. Rather, it was forced into submission by a politician who decided to sacrifice his life for the cause.
Does it make sense to have smaller states, maybe city states? Ramesh Srivats has written a very interesting piece and I have commented, largely in agreement.
But the sad part about the decision yesterday was the process that led to it. As ad-hoc and unilateral as ever.
One numbers politician threatens to commit suicide. Everyone watches, waiting to call his bluff. No way, he says, and reaches the edge of the cliff. Centre gulps. High Command weighs political consequences and blinks. Both of them live to fight another day. So this is what democracy is about.
Of course, the alternative is not a pretty picture too. Creation of a Committee or a Commission, discussing the report a decade later in Parliament, discrediting the people involved, forming a Parliamentary Committee or better still a Joint Parliamentary Committee, discussing the report a couple of years later, discrediting the people involved...... merry go round.
I think I like the suicide err fast unto death approach. Decisions can be taken, either ways, in 12-15 days. Very efficient.
So, if you want your Bangalore city state or Mumbai state, form a party, find a leader who is willing to commit suicide, and attack!