With one more assembly by-poll in Telangana Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy resigns from CongressThe ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have gone into war mode.
Mr Rajagopal Reddy is set to contest again from this seat, but this time on a BJP ticket. Angered by the move, Congress leaders have alleged that they have left the party only to protect their business interests. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president A Revanth Reddy has said that it is necessary for the party to retain the seat “as part of the process to end ‘family rule’ and restore democracy in the state”. which they claim. TRS is in danger of Govt.
The Congress worries that Mr. Rajagopal Reddy’s brother, Komatireddy Venkata Reddy, who wields considerable influence in the district, will abstain from campaigning and support his younger brother. Mr Venkat Reddy had announced that he would not be a part of the election campaign until the TPCC chief apologized to him and expelled the Congress spokesperson who had made derogatory remarks against him. Although Mr. Revanth Reddy apologized, it is doubtful whether Mr. Venkata Reddy will actively campaign for a Congress candidate at the cost of his brother’s political future. In such a situation, it is a matter of prestige for the Congress to win the seat. After all, the united Nalgonda district has been its stronghold for decades. But there is a lack of unity in the party. The Congress has also had to postpone its padyatra after the TPCC chief contracted COVID-19.
Winning this seat for TRS will help it regain its lost glory. The party is holding a rally in Munugode, which will be addressed by Chief Minister and party president K Chandrasekhar Rao on August 20. But the TRS is now grappling with discontent in the party just like the Congress. As some polls indicate an edge to the ruling party, the number of candidates for the post has increased. These candidates are hopeful that a victory would also ensure that they were allotted tickets for the next assembly elections. Though meetings have been held and assurances have been given to everyone in the party that all will be recognized in the times to come, the party is still concerned. Energy Minister Jagadesh Reddy has alleged that the BJP, especially Mr. Rajagopal Reddy, is fomenting discontent. He has promised that it will be addressed appropriately.
For the BJP, winning this seat will be an example of its growing strength in Telangana. The party is organizing a public meeting to be addressed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on August 21. The BJP has barely a presence in the region and it needs to identify leaders along with building a cadre base. The party may hope that this move by Mr. Rajagopal Reddy may lead to more defections.
Read also | TRS leadership takes steps to address discontent in Munugode
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) under the leadership of former IPS officer Dr. RS Praveen Kumar will also test the water in the elections. YSR Telangana Party led by YS Sharmila, daughter of former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy; Telugu Desam Party, which still has a vote bank and sympathizers; And the Left parties, especially the CPI, which has won the seat several times in the past with the support of other parties, will also be in the fray. In such a situation, the by-election will be a litmus test for all the major parties.
The BJP is keen to prove that its rise in Telangana is not a temporary phenomenon; Congress wants to reiterate its claim that it is the right alternative to TRS; And the TRS wants to claim that despite some defeats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and the by-elections to the Dabak and Huzurabad assembly seats, it is still in control of Telangana voters.
chandrashekhar.Bhalki@thehindu.co.in