Revanth Reddy, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee President has shouldered the responsibility brightening the prospects and possibilities for grand old party in a state where it once held forte. Counting upon the goodwill of disgruntled leaders and legislators from KCR,s BRS and BJP, Reddy does understand he has an upheaval task before him. Over the past few months, BRS seemed slightly ahead with Congress being relegated to third position the surveys and opinion polls conducted few months back. BJP was sitting pretty at second holding on to its stronghold in areas adjoining Hyderabad for a showing in December 2019 Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections surprising and stunning everyone alike from pundits to public. However, voter fatigue with KCR over a host of issues from corruption to leakages in the delivery of welfare schemes his going has become tough with grand old party seizing the plot to its advantage. Visit by top leaders from Congress like Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge has galvanized and mobilized the ranks and cadres of the party at the ground with the party leaving nothing to fate. Charging BRS of being hand in glove with BJP cobbling a mutual understanding in the run up to parliamentary elections in 2024 taking a toll on K Chandrashekhar Rao has put BRS in a dilemma. Navigating from it depends on KCR charting and navigating his path with Congress focusing on those sections of population like Dalits, Muslims etc left to fend for themselves. From reservation to representation in educational institutions to employment they have faced a wrath reminding them of their position in the social hierarchy. Mind you, Owaisi,s AIMIM is BRSs coalition partner and would take cognizance if a chunk of Muslim votes get split and divided between BRS and Congress and BJP emerging as the ultimate beneficiary. Electorally, Muslims have backed KCR but for the latter,s promise to grant twelve percent reservation to their community in the panchayats has divided public opinion with a KCR slipping and sulking at the ballot this could turn out to be anybody’s election. For a moment I would like to give KCR benefit of doubt with BRS having formidable base in peripheries and hinterlands which no other party enjoys limited to particular pockets and constituencies. A litmus test for KCR if he can buckle the trend for a third term in the office amidst the hustles and bustles in the background for a change of guard in the state ushering and heralding a new dawn for investment, innovation and infrastructure. Telengana can become a global hub and destination for a political guardianship offering best direction possible going far as much as he could in his capacity.
Who would be the dark horse ????