N. Bhaskara Rao Quotes
Contrary to general expectations, caste, regionalism, criminalisation, and parochial interests continue to sway the nation.
Rao, N. Bhaskara. Poll Surveys in Media: An Indian Perspective. Centre for Media Studies, 2009.
Jinnah who at later years of his life became a rabid leader and facilitator of religious bigotry and violent Jihad, was totally opposed to mixing religion in politics. His view was so strong on this point that he even criticized Gandhi for mixing religion with politics when he was a sing star of the Indian Congress Party. Jinnah's flip flop on this point led to one of the great massacres and tragedies in human history.
At the time Jesse Helms, an arch conservative, was a very powerful senator with a great deal of seniority. As such most senators had to work with him to get many things done. Ironically, despite the fact that he and Helms were on polar opposite political sides, they developed a personal working relationship which was quite cordial.
This was perceived as an attack on social conservatives and a particular sleight to Robert Bork who had previously used part of the phrase as a book title.
The Congress was in a hyper-partisan gridelock and was unable to pass most legislation.
“Sectionalism” really referred to the North / South animosity which carried over from the Civil War. The South would hardly ever elect a Republican as it was the Republican Lincoln Government that ended slavery and put down their rebellion in the Civil War. There was a language difference that was much greater than modern times and the South was way behind most of the rest of the country in terms of education and standard of living. Every time the Federal Government would try and enforce the Constitution with respect to race, the sectional friction would break out again. The sectional issues carried into the 21st century but had gotten much better.
Nadendla Bhaskara Rao was the Chief minister of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh for a brief period in 1984. He served the shortest term yet, as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh – 31 days. His son Nadendla Manohar is Ex MLA for Tenali Constituency who is also the last Speaker for United Andhra Pradesh assembly.
