Time for politicians to brush up T language

Nizamabad, Nov. 15: To catch the voter's eye, or rather his ear, politicians of Telangana are busy learning the local dialect. Those who aspire for Assembly and Lok Sabha seats are ahead of others in picking up the nuances of the slang. All leaders try to give a Telangana touch to their speeches especially when addressing large crowds. It comes easily to some while it is hard work for others.
It was the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) founder president, Mr K.Chandrasekhar Rao, who first used this tactic to attract people. His speeches are always peppered with Telangana idioms. Other TRS MPs and MLAs follow their leader's style while addressing crowds. KCR's son Mr.K.Taraka Rama Rao also picked up the Telangana dialect when he was elevated as party general secretary.
Earlier, people's representatives and political leaders used to give their speeches in the influential Coastal Andhra dialect. They had the feeling that this style of speech was more polished.
But things have changed and now the TRS, the TRS (Narendra), Talli Telangana and Nava Telangana party are all vying to catch the attention of the people. National parties such as the Congress, the BJP, and the CPI have already declared their soft corner for the state and the TD, which had always stood for united Andhra Pradesh, has also started chanting the T-mantra.

This turnaround has also given a new status to the Telangana dialect. The Assembly Speaker Mr.K.R.Suresh Reddy, who used to speak Telugu mixed with English, is now speaking in the Telangana dialect. Similarly, the AICC secretary and Nizamabad MP, Mr.Madhu Goud Yashki, also drifts to slang while speaking to the press.

The PCC chief, Mr D.Srinivas, the Minister for Minority Welfare, Mr Mohammad Ali Shabbir, the Telugu Desam senior leader, Mr Mandava Venkateshwer Rao, and senior MLAs, Mr. S. Santhosh Reddy and Mr S.Gangaram of Jukkal all take care to speak like natives of the region. "It may turn out to be useful for the politicians and for the dialect as well," says Mr S.Ramchander, a Telugu scholar.