Stakes are high for Congress, BRS, and BJP in Telangana
Future of all three parties is on tenterhooks as victory in State will strengthen their hold in Telugu politics; after defeat in Assembly polls, BRS is facing existential threat as many deserted the party
As the voters in Telangana get ready to exercise their franchise on Monday, they will be writing the fortunes of three major political parties at the State level, though their vote is for a government at the Centre.
Stakes are high for all three major parties — the Congress, BJP and Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS). The Congress, which rode to power four months ago in the State, will see a challenge to its government’s survival since the Opposition parties have been vocal about its very existence after the election.
The BRS is facing its biggest survival challenge since its formation in 2001 in the form of TRS. Losing power to the Congress and desertions of its leaders has dented its image. It faced similar challenges in the combined Andhra Pradesh, but it had the sentiment issue to bounce back and its absence now will be a test of party’s resilience.
The BJP has been a minor player in the combined Andhra Pradesh and also the young Telangana State, but it sees a real chance of making it big in Parliament election. If it fails in the mission to bag a minimum eight out of the 17 seats, its growth would be stunted as the party is in its strongest position ever in Telugu States’ politics.
The challenges are real for all parties though they may be from different dimensions. In this context, this election is quite unique as at least one of them is likely to lose their foothold in Telangana politics.