Love all, trust few, do wrong to none, Mr Revanth Reddy, Hon’ble Chief Minister

HYDERABAD: Crown and glory of life is character, said a French Journalist Alphone Karr. He had further explained saying: “Every man has three characters: that which he shows that which he has and that which he thinks he has.”

This aptly suits any ruler too. Now that Anumula Revanth Reddy, 54, hailing from a nondescript Kondareddypalli village of Kodangal Assembly constituency in the erstwhile Mahabubnagar district, is in the saddle of power in the 10-year-old State of Telangana, denizen would look up to him in awe over his steadfast focus on achieving not only his — but even of the Congress party that reposed the onus on him — ambition of coming to power.

For a person from a humble background as Revanth Reddy’s, it’s no mean an achievement to take on one of the political titans of contemporary Indian politics K Chandrashekar Rao aka KCR. And, conquering power and ascending to the throne will surely add feathers to Revanth Reddy’s crown.

Now Revanth will have to demonstrate with an unwavering determination a blend of the character he has, he shows and he thinks he has.

Given his marvellous achievement, the least expected of him is not only to ape but even excel the exemplary rule of the nearest role model he could in the more recent history of the Congress in power. That was the late Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.

Revanth Reddy will be expected to emulate Dr Reddy in espousing magnanimity and eschewing the old “baggage” he had carried as a person, as a leader and also as an administrator.

When an era (of KCR) has ended in the Telangana government, all good things of his (Revanth’s) predecessor must be carried forward unhesitatingly. And, if possible, by improvising on the same with his own mark of newness. The Chief Minister has in fact larger shoes left behind by KCR to fill.

He must divvy up the dividends of his governance to all sections of people equally and win their hearts.

The Congress has promised the moon to the people. The first and foremost task cut out for him would be to ensure that the promises are translated into actions with a definitive plan and specific timelines for their delivery. Only then, he can reinforce the confidence and trust the people of Telangana reposed in his leadership.

His upcoming challenge would be to contain dissidence that traditionally keeps brewing within the Congress and endure the discomfiture that might be caused by his colleagues within the party by displaying enormous patience, persuasive skills and cajoling abilities.

Revanth Reddy would surely relinquish his usual coarse tongue-lashing even towards the worst of his political foes. He must command respect by steering clear of enmity and declaring that anyone antagonistic to him just as a political opponent, but not a sworn enemy.

Treading a cautious path is the mantra for the leader to earn him the approbation and laurels from all sections of people, including his bitter critics. Silence them with personal dignity and professionally political adroitness.

Having passed through the rough and tumble of the life of a man in the opposition for over two decades, Revanth Reddy should adapt himself to being the most affable head of treasury benches and also the opportunity he earned hard as the second Chief Minister of Telangana.

Gentleman, Revanth Reddy, in your quest for excellence on your road ahead, follow the thumb rule given to the mankind through his ‘All’s well that ends well’ by the Bard of Avon William Shakespeare: “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none: be able for thine enemy rather in power than use; and keep thy friend under thy own life's key: be check'd for silence, But never tax'd for speech.”