Almost game over for K Chandrashekhar

Since its formation, the Indian territory has been divided into states, sometimes on a linguistic basis and many times due to socio-political reasons. Telangana can be put in the second category. It happens to be the newest state and, after a long-drawn-out struggle, was formed on June 2, 2014. However, the formation of Telangana was not a serene incident; rather, the movement claimed innumerable lives.

The Atal Vihari government is credited with carving out three new states without even a ripple of disturbance. The UPA is equally responsible for the bloodshed that took place. Since the state was formed, the political threads have been under the control of K Chandrashekhar Rao; now, however, it seems that the BJP is intruding on Rao’s impregnable fortress.

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The formation and vested interests

The recognition of Telangana as a separate state was initiated by Rao, as he wanted to establish his rule over the region. While all the parties were in opposition, Congress supported K Chandrashekhar, and a state was formed to satisfy one man’s ego and hunger for power. Since then, he has been ruling the state.

In the last assembly election held in 2018 as well, Rao’s TRS won 88 seats out of 119, thus establishing a clear majority. It has increased its tally from 63 to 88, and that has acted as a morale booster for TRS to look forward to its national ambitions.

Others in Congress, which was the main opposition to the TRS in the state, could not dent the vote share. Congress was cornered with just 19 seats. AIMIM won 7 seats, and TDP won 2. The Bhartiya Janata Party that could just win 1 seat, this time is all set to topple the TRS government in the state.

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Problems ahead for K Chandrashekhar Rao

K Chandrashekhar Rao has won two consecutive terms in the state, first in 2014 and then in 2019, and that too with a brute majority. The next assembly elections are due for December this year. And 2023 appears to be a difficult year for the TRS, which has recently transformed into the BRS (Bhartiya Rashtra Samiti), as K Chandrashekhar Rao is fighting anti-incumbency along with strong opposition’s presence in the state. The BJP has grown significantly in the state, and Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP has also strengthened its presence. While Congress has brought itself out of the competition due to rampant infighting within the state unit.

Further, K. Chandrashekar Rao’s arrogance has also alienated him from old allies, while Naidu is expected to revive his alliance with the BJP in both the Telugu-speaking states, that is, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

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BJP expands its footprint in the state

The BJP’s juggernaut in South India is being pulled by none other than the Chankya of politics himself, Union Home Minister Amit Shah. In May of this year, Shah along with Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar launched the ‘Praja Sangrama Yatra’ to connect with the common people and garner support for the party. This was seen as the first blow to the TRS empire in the state. Amit Shah had also declared that if the BJP came to power, it would end minority reservation and extend the benefit to the STs, SCs, and backward classes.

The population Shah is talking about has a significant influence on the election and would be useful in countering the Muslim bloc. Muslims’ votes have always been divided in the state amongst TRS and AIMIM, and this time it is expected that the Muslims will drift away from K Chandrashekhar Rao due to unfulfilled promises.

The confidence for such announcements comes from the significant gains that the party achieved in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. The BJP in Telangana has also been gaining support from celebrities like Junior NTR and JP Nadda, who met actor Nithin and cricketer Mithali Raj.

However, the main focus of the BJP has remained reaching out to the common masses, and no stone has been left unturned by the party in galvanising booth-level support, the result of which will be reflected in the December elections.