Politics in the States (I): Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Assam

Politics in Indian states varies widely due to the unique class, caste, and cultural influences shaping each region. Despite commonalities in political frameworks across the Indian Union, specific social forces at play determine diverse outcomes in state governance.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Examine the role of state-level politics in shaping national policies.
2. Analyze the impact of regional parties in transforming separatist movements.
3. Understand the socio-economic disparities that influence sub-regional conflicts.
4. Identify how historical factors contribute to contemporary political crises.

Tamil Nadu: The DMK’s Evolution

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu serves as a case study on how a separatist political movement can evolve into a mainstream political force.

1. Formation: Emerging from anti-Brahmin and anti-North sentiments, the DMK was initially a secessionist movement. It sought a separate state, Dravidnadu, comprising Tamil Nadu, Andhra, Karnataka, and Kerala.
2. Change in Ideology: Over time, the party under the leadership of C.N. Annadurai and other film personalities, such as M.G. Ramachandran (MGR), shifted its focus to Tamil identity and consciousness, moving away from a focus on race or secession.
3. Electoral Participation: Initially not participating in elections, the DMK contested in 1957 and 1962, allying with other parties and softening its stance on secession.
4. Shift to Autonomy: After the 16th Constitutional Amendment in 1962, the DMK gave up its secessionist demands and moved towards advocating for greater state autonomy.
5. Electoral Success: In 1967, the DMK won the assembly elections, capturing 138 seats out of 234, forming the government with Annadurai as Chief Minister.
6. Transformation: After Annadurai’s death, the DMK became a mature regional party, integrating Tamil Nadu into India’s democratic and secular political system.
7. Party Split: The DMK split in 1972, leading to the formation of AIADMK under MGR, marking the beginning of a two-party system in the state.

Important Note:
The DMK’s shift from secessionism to state autonomy highlights the pragmatism required to survive in India’s federal and democratic system.

Telangana Versus Coastal Andhra Pradesh

The politics of Andhra Pradesh have been characterized by a deep divide between Telangana and Coastal Andhra Pradesh, rooted in economic disparities and employment grievances.

1. Formation of Andhra Pradesh: Andhra was established as a separate state in 1953, and Telangana was merged with it in 1956. Despite expectations of unity, Telangana remained underdeveloped compared to Coastal Andhra.
2. Economic Disparities: Telangana’s per capita income, literacy rate, and infrastructure significantly lagged behind that of Coastal Andhra, fueling discontent.
3. Movement for Separation: By 1969, Telangana saw a separatist movement driven by allegations that the Andhra-dominated government had neglected the region, particularly in terms of rural electrification and irrigation projects.
4. Mulki Rules Dispute: The controversy over the Mulki Rules, which favored Telangana natives for state employment, intensified the conflict between the two regions.
5. Supreme Court Ruling: A Supreme Court ruling in 1969 declaring the Mulki Rules unconstitutional added fuel to the separatist fire.
6. Political Mediation: A compromise was brokered by the central government, leading to the formation of a Telangana Regional Committee with statutory powers and modifications to the Mulki Rules.
7. Andhra Agitation: By 1972, Coastal Andhra saw its own agitation against the perceived bias of the Mulki Rules, with demands for a separate Andhra state.
8. Resolution: The central government imposed President’s Rule in 1973, leading to a compromise, the Six-Point Formula, which appeased both regions without dividing the state.

Turmoil in Assam

Assam presents a unique case where political unrest emerged from concerns over identity and demographic changes, rather than secessionist ambitions.

1. Economic Grievances: Assamese people believed that the central government had neglected the state economically, particularly by failing to reinvest revenues from Assam’s crude oil and tea industries into local development.
2. Outsider Influence: Economic resources were controlled by non-Assamese groups such as Marwaris and Bengalis, furthering local resentment.
3. Language Disputes: A major conflict arose in the 1960s over the imposition of Assamese as the sole official language, leading to violent language riots between Assamese and Bengali speakers.
4. Demographic Transformation: Large-scale migration from Bangladesh exacerbated fears of cultural and political subordination among the Assamese, sparking the anti-foreigner movement in 1979.
5. Anti-Foreigner Movement: The movement led by the All Assam Students Union (AASU) called for the identification and deportation of illegal immigrants, particularly those who had entered Assam after 1971.
6. Violence and Instability: The period from 1979 to 1985 was marked by frequent strikes, civil disobedience, and ethnic violence, culminating in the 1983 election boycott and mass killings.
7. 1985 Assam Accord: The conflict was resolved with the signing of the Assam Accord, which laid out provisions for citizenship and promised economic development, leading to a period of relative peace.

Important Note:
The Assam movement succeeded in remaining non-communal, avoiding the pitfalls of xenophobia and extreme nationalism, allowing for negotiations with the central government.

Comparative Table: Political Movements in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Assam

Further Developments in Assam

Despite the 1985 Assam Accord, the issue of illegal immigration remains unresolved. The Assam Gana Parishad (AGP), formed after the accord, won the 1985 elections, but later movements, such as that of the Bodos and the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), continued to challenge the political stability of the state.

1. Bodo Movement: The Bodo tribes demanded a separate state, adding to the complexities of Assam’s internal divisions.
2. ULFA Insurgency: The ULFA emerged as a secessionist group, leading to further turmoil and military intervention in the state.
3. Integration Challenges: The central government’s focus shifted to gradual assimilation of the state’s diverse communities rather than the exclusion or elimination of any group.
4. Post-Accord Governance: The AGP’s victory marked a period of relative calm, but tensions simmered, with future insurgencies and the issue of Bangladeshi migrants remaining contentious.

Important Note:
Assam’s experience shows that the politics of identity can be accommodated within the framework of a democratic and secular India without resorting to secessionist or communal approaches.

Multi-column Table: Economic and Cultural Conflicts

MCQ:
Which of the following was a primary reason for the anti-foreigner movement in Assam during the 1980s?

a) Political rivalry between local parties
b) Cultural hegemony of the Bengali speakers
c) Large-scale illegal migration from Bangladesh
d) Economic grievances against the central government

Answer: c) Large-scale illegal migration from Bangladesh