The political tussle in Telangana has reached fever pitch, with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy signalling that K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), the working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), could face prison. This assertion, echoed by Congress leaders like Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, highlights the charged atmosphere as both parties engage in a battle for political survival.
Revanth Reddy’s government has consistently targeted the BRS leadership, alleging large-scale corruption involving the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have labeled the project a financial “ATM” for KCR’s family, suggesting deep-seated irregularities. Despite these claims, central investigative agencies have not taken significant action, leaving room for political posturing by the state Congress.
However, the Congress’s threats to prosecute KCR’s family — including KCR himself, his son KTR, and daughter Kavitha, implicated in the Delhi liquor scam — remain largely rhetorical. While Kavitha’s brief incarceration and subsequent bail brought temporary momentum to these accusations, no concrete action has materialized under the Congress government, raising questions about its resolve.
The Congress has also focused on the Formula 1 racing scam, where KTR, as the then Municipal Administration Minister, allegedly instructed bureaucrats to pay ₹80 crore to organizers without formal approval. While the Anti-Corruption Bureau claims to have evidence, including confessions from officials, the government’s hesitance to proceed reflects either political calculations or a lack of confidence in its case.
Amidst this political turmoil, speculation is rife about the BRS exploring an alliance or merger with the BJP. The BRS, reportedly losing ground due to defections and internal strife, might see alignment with the BJP as a survival strategy. Media reports suggest this move could occur post-Delhi Assembly elections next year.
For the BJP, such a partnership could serve as a counterbalance to the Congress, especially given the latter’s precarious majority in Telangana. With 29 MLAs, the BJP could enable defections from the Congress, further destabilizing Revanth Reddy’s government. This possibility aligns with the BJP’s strategy of leveraging political opportunities to expand its footprint in southern India.
Adding to the intrigue is a Telangana High Court directive instructing the Congress government to disqualify defected MLAs who joined the ruling party. The BRS, which previously benefited from defections, now faces the irony of its own MLAs being targeted. While the Congress has a moral and legal obligation to act, analysts believe it might emulate the BRS’s precedent of ignoring such directives, risking judicial censure.
Revanth Reddy’s leadership is also under scrutiny. Media speculation about a potential leadership change reflects the Congress’s internal challenges, with infighting threatening to weaken its position further. Despite these rumblings, Revanth’s confidence in retaining his position appears unshaken, given his reputation as a shrewd and ambitious politician.
However, any attempt by the Congress high command to replace him could lead to a split in the party, complicating its prospects in the state. This internal instability, coupled with external threats from the BRS and BJP, puts the Congress in a precarious position.
The Congress government in Telangana faces mounting challenges — from addressing judicial mandates and managing internal discord to countering a resurgent BRS-BJP nexus. While Revanth Reddy’s rhetoric against KTR and KCR keeps his cadre mobilized, the lack of decisive action risks eroding public trust.
Meanwhile, the BRS’s survival strategies and the BJP’s potential interventions add layers of complexity to Telangana’s political landscape. Whether Revanth Reddy can consolidate his position or if Telangana witnesses another dramatic power shift remains to be seen. In this high-stakes game, no party can afford to miscalculate.
