Hurdles and hard lessons: KCR's bid for a hat-trick in Telangana faces tough road ahead

In the sweltering heat of Telangana’s political arena, K Chandrashekar Rao, popularly known as KCR, is gearing up for an electoral battle that could define his legacy and future. With two consecutive terms in power, the charismatic leader’s bid for a third term is anything but a cakewalk. Recent opinion polls have suggested that the once-unstoppable juggernaut of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), which is now known as Bharat Rashtra Samility, is now facing formidable hurdles and a litany of hard lessons. The journey of the Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has been far from smooth. For instance, in 2018, KCR secured a resounding victory, but his party couldn’t maintain the same level of success in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. During that time, the BJP and Congress in Telangana outperformed the BRS. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also made significant inroads into Telangana, challenging KCR’s dominance. Currently, the Congress has once again emerged as a potent political force in the state. It’s evident from recent opinion polls that the Congress is poised to give KCR a tough fight. This upcoming election serves as a wake-up call for KCR. It’s high time for the BRS chief to recognise his political and administrative shortcomings. Many challenges The writing on the wall is clear: KCR’s third term as Chief Minister of Telangana will be anything but a cakewalk. The once-dominant leader, who spearheaded the state’s creation, has seen his political landscape shift dramatically since his 2014 landslide victory. Recent opinion polls suggest that public sentiment is shifting against the TRS government with a significant portion of the electorate expressing dissatisfaction with KCR’s performance. This discontent can be attributed to a number of factors including allegations of corruption, rising unemployment and a perceived lack of progress on key issues. Voters, who once rallied behind KCR’s promise of a “Golden Telangana”, are now demanding concrete results. The promise of economic growth, improved infrastructure and a better quality of life has yet to materialise for many Telangana residents. As the old adage goes, “fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” The people of Telangana seem determined not to be fooled a third time. KCR will need to address the concerns of the electorate and articulate a clear vision for the future of Telangana if he hopes to secure another term in office. However, the odds are stacked against him. The TRS government is facing a number of challenges, including anti-incumbency, allegations of corruption, and a lack of public trust. The people of Telangana are demanding accountability and transparency from their political leaders. If KCR fails to deliver, he may be facing his first ever electoral defeat in Telangana. KCR needs to wake up and smell the coffee. He needs to address the concerns of the people and offer a real vision for the future of Telangana. Otherwise, he will be sent packing for the upcoming election. Inconsistent national ambition KCR’s ambitions are like a chameleon, changing colour and shape to suit his needs. But voters are not fooled. They see through his facade and see the man behind the curtain. KCR wanted to project himself as a successful political juggler, trying to keep multiple balls in the air at the same time. But he is losing control because KCR has no national agenda, image or credibility. Without the cause of Telangana, KCR is no one, and this is something his party will need to accept. His ambitions are coming undone and voters are starting to see the cracks in his facade. KCR’s ambitions are a complex and enigmatic puzzle. He straddles the line between regional satrap and national leader with ease, but his inconsistency and ambiguity have left Telangana voters confused. On the one hand, KCR is a passionate advocate for the interests of Telangana. He has overseen significant economic development and infrastructure growth in the state. On the other hand, he harbours national aspirations and has attempted to build a “Federal Front” to position himself as a kingmaker in national politics. KCR’s seesawing between regional and national roles has blurred his image and diluted his message. Voters are left wondering whether they are electing a Chief Minister dedicated to Telangana’s progress or a politician with his sights set on New Delhi. The lack of clarity surrounding KCR’s intentions has sown doubts among the electorate. A sceptical voter is never a good sign for an incumbent seeking re-election. KCR’s ambitions are a liability, not an asset. His indecisiveness and ambiguity have alienated many of his supporters. Telangana voters want a chief minister who is focused on the state’s needs, not on his own personal ambitions. They want a leader who is clear-headed and decisive, not someone who waffles back and forth. KCR needs to make a choice: either he is dedicated to Telangana or he is focused on national politics. He cannot have it both ways. Public discontent over corruption Telangana is a new state and that is why a clean government is much needed in the state, but there is no doubt that KCR is unable to hold this image. Corruption is consuming KCR’s BRS. The party has lost its moral compass and is now indistinguishable from the very forces it once promised to fight. The BRS chief needs to come clean on the corruption allegations that have plagued his government. He needs to order a transparent and impartial investigation into the liquor scam and hold those responsible accountable. If KCR fails to do so, the BRS will face a humiliating defeat in the upcoming elections. KCR’s BRS, once seen as a beacon of honesty and integrity, is now grappling with a series of allegations of corruption. The Delhi liquor scam, which implicated several TRS members, was a glaring example of the rot that has set in within the party. The scandal tarnished the BRS’s image and handed its critics valuable ammunition. The link of Aam Aadmi Party and BRS was also exposed by this scam. But the liquor scam is not an isolated incident. It is part of a larger narrative of alleged corruption within the BRS government. Accusations of embezzlement of welfare funds, murky land deals and other instances of malfeasance have become sore points for the party. In a state that once rallied behind KCR’s promise to clean up the system, these allegations have left a bitter taste in the mouths of voters. The BRS government’s efforts to downplay these allegations and dismiss them as politically motivated attacks have only served to fuel public cynicism. The party’s refusal to conduct a transparent and impartial investigation into the liquor scam has further damaged its credibility. Rise Of BJP The BJP’s rise in Telangana politics is a narrative worth noting. Although the party has historically struggled to gain a foothold in the state, it is steadily making inroads. The recent GHMC (Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation) elections, where the BJP put up an impressive performance, serve as a testament to this shift. The saffron party’s growing influence has KCR and the BRS on edge. KCR’s dalliances with the BJP at the national level have not gone unnoticed by voters in Telangana. While coalition politics is a norm in India, aligning with a party that is perceived as a “threat” can be politically costly. The optics of KCR, who once swore by a non-BJP, non-Congress front, cozying up to the very party he vowed to oppose, have left many voters perplexed. Additionally, this realignment has created a peculiar scenario where the BJP and the TRS are seen as partners against the Congress. This shifting political landscape has the potential to benefit the Congress as it positions itself as the sole alternative to both the ruling BRS and the BJP. In politics, strange bedfellows can lead to unexpected consequences, and the coming election in Telangana might just prove this axiom true. Congress factor In the world of politics, a common thread that binds opponents is the unmistakable air of anti-incumbency. With KCR’s rule extending over a decade, it’s undeniable that a significant segment of the electorate has grown disenchanted with the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (TRS). The Congress, once the predominant political force in the region, has been strategically leveraging this prevailing sentiment of anti-incumbency to its advantage. Nonetheless, the Congress confronts its own set of hurdles. Internal factionalism remains a substantial stumbling block within the party. The absence of a unified front and the presence of multiple contenders for the Chief Minister’s post have the potential to diminish the party’s overall appeal. To regain power, the Congress must adeptly navigate these internal disputes, presenting a coherent and compelling alternative to the electorate. Yet, the allure of change possesses remarkable power in the realm of politics, and the Congress is banking on this irresistible force to propel it to victory. The forthcoming election will serve as the litmus test, determining whether the party can transcend its internal divisions and effectively channel the electorate’s yearning for change into a resounding electoral triumph. The upcoming Telangana assembly election is a crucible for KCR, a test of his political strategy and decision-making. With his legacy on the line, KCR needs to overcome the key flaws in his approach, including his inconsistent and ambivalent stance on national politics. While it is not uncommon for regional leaders to dabble in national affairs, KCR’s vacillation between championing Telangana and harboring national ambitions has left many bewildered. His indecisiveness and ambiguity have eroded public trust and damaged his credibility. A more resolute and transparent approach would have served KCR better. Instead of hedging his bets, he should have clearly articulated his national ambitions and explained how they would benefit Telangana. He should have also been more transparent about his interactions with national leaders and his plans for the future. By failing to do so, KCR has created confusion and uncertainty among voters. Many are now wondering whether he is truly committed to Telangana or whether he is using the state as a stepping stone to national power. If KCR wants to win the upcoming election and secure his legacy, he needs to address these concerns head-on. He needs to be more transparent and resolute in his approach to national politics. He needs to clearly explain his vision for Telangana and how it aligns with his national ambitions. Only then can KCR convince voters that he is the best person to lead the state into the future. The author teaches journalism at St. Xavier’s College (autonomous), Kolkata, and he is a political columnist. He tweets at @sayantan_gh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views. Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.