A win for BJP can pave the way for several changes in political dynamics
The schedule for the byelection to Huzurabad Assembly seat is not announced yet, but principal political parties are deeply into moves and countermoves to checkmate their rivals.
One-upmanship and consolidation of caste groups is in full display in the constituency going by the developments over the last fortnight. The no-holds-barred campaign by the parties, particularly the TRS and the BJP, reveal that the bypoll has turned into more of a prestigious issue than just a political contest.
It all began with filing of cases and ouster of Eatala Rajender as a minister from the Cabinet, his subsequent move to resign from his MLA seat and cross to the BJP before launching a full-fledged campaign through padayatra. Congress leader P. Kaushik Reddy quitting the main opposition party at the same time amid audio leak issue and joining the TRS added an interesting turn to the political ‘drama’ which followed the interesting contests in Dubbak and GHMC.
Switching of loyalties by leaders ahead of elections has forced leaderships of parties to redraw their strategies to retain their loyalists as the key to winning is held by BC and SC voters. Of the more than 2.05 lakh electorate, BCs constitute roughly 50% while the SCs comprise nearly 40,000 and OCs close to 41,000.
With Mr. Rajender hailing from Mudiraj, a BC community in the fray, the TRS leadership after initial inclination to field a Reddy has now come to the conclusion that fielding a BC candidate would be appropriate for taking on the former minister on his home turf.
TRS sources said following the resignation of Mr. Rajender, the party scoured for a strong candidate from the Reddy community to pit against him. Mr. Kaushik Reddy, who made up his mind, would have been an automatic choice had it not been for the audio leak episode.
The fact that Mr. Kaushik Reddy had no record participation in the statehood movement coupled with the realisation that giving seat to a defector at the cost of party loyalists would send wrong signals outside weighed heavily in ensuring Mr. Kaushik Reddy’s being sent to the elders’ house as MLC.
Also, picking up a BC candidate could neutralise Mr. Rajender’s bid to play the BC card. Party sources said although a novice, Gellu Srinivasa Yadav of TRS Students wing is a strong contender for the ticket.
The TRS is keen on consolidating the BC votes and the latest announcement of Dalit Bandhu scheme is only expected to further boost party chances. Entry of former TDP State chief L. Ramana and former minister E. Peddi Reddy may benefit the TRS, to some extent.
BJP leadership is confident that Mr. Rajender is still the frontrunner in the run-up to the elections. The padayatra was mainly intended to percolate the party’s symbol (lotus) down to grassroots as voters might still think Mr. Rajender is a TRS man.
The unceremonious exit of Mr. Kaushik Reddy exposed the situation of the Congress in Huzurabad where it has become rudderless. Efforts of the State leaders to convince at least two senior leaders — one a former State minister from the SC community and the other a former MP from an influential BC — has come to a nought. Both refused to enter the fray and openly told the leadership that they did not want another defeat to be added to their account. If the Congress sources are to be believed, one leader said he would rather quit the party, if he was forced to contest.
The TRS and the BJP are determined to keep the election tempo high as the outcome of Huzurabad will mean a lot for both parties. If TRS wins, it will be seen as yet another endorsement of the party’s policies. A win for BJP could, however, pave the way for several changes in the political dynamics of the State where the party is leaving no stone unturned to grow as a major force.
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