In the run-up to next year’s national elections, the BJP party units of the two Telugu states are seen holding more than the average number of party meetings. In addition to the General Election next year, both Telugu states are scheduled to have state elections as well, raising the stakes for the BJP in the South – Telangana goes to the polls in or before December 2023 and Andhra’s state elections are scheduled before June 2024, most likely in tandem with the 2024 national election.
These dates indicate a sense of urgency in collecting/verifying voter information, effective implementation of the BJP’s central-planned social schemes, fair disbursement of funds to the needy for such schemes, and popularizing the core message of a healthy balance between welfare schemes and development-oriented incentives, that the party’s economic policy stands for. A sense of urgency also prevails in training and keeping their cadre alert and active for local booth-level engagement and ensuring that there is no voter-id tampering, as is being alleged in Andhra, where the YSRCP has been accused of voter-list tampering in almost all districts. Jagan Reddy’s current YSRCP government in Andhra Pradesh had been accused of the same in the 2019 state elections as well, when it won the state elections, wresting power from the previous Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government.
This time around, the BJP’s stakes are higher in the Telugu states. After a poorly strategized and miscalculated election campaign in this year’s Karnataka state elections, it needs to show better numbers and an indication of growth in the neighboring Southern states of Telangana and Andhra. Unlike Karnataka where it already has a strong base, it is yet to strike out with the right messaging in Telangana and Andhra. Analysts speculate that the BJP is better off marketing itself as a progressive Hindu party with a strong development agenda in both the Telugu states. It can play the patriotism card as well (reduced terrorism, tough action against terror outfits and their sponsors, better border protection, etc.)… but this is best done, only after its development agenda and increased economic opportunities, are highlighted.
Earlier this week, the BJP’s Andhra unit president, Daggubati Purandeswari, appealed to the local cadre to ensure that all eligible voters are on the electoral roll ahead of the 2024 state and national elections amid continued speculation of vote tampering by Jagan Reddy’s YSRCP. Incidentally, the Andhra Pradesh state BJP president is the daughter of the late actor, politician, and TDP founder, N.T Rama Rao and is also the sister-in-law of N Chandrababu Naidu, current TDP party president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister.
At this week’s party meeting held in Vijayawada, both Purandeswari and Bandi Sanjay Kumar (BJP National General Secretary) were in attendance. Both leaders emphasised the importance of conducting regular checks and verification of electoral rolls and Voter ID details at the grassroots level. They also highlighted the necessity of ensuring that the citizens of Andhra and Telangana comprehend that they have reaped the rewards of central government schemes facilitated by their respective state governments despite the state governments disproportionately claiming exclusive credit for the distribution of these central government benefits. Bandi Sanjay also reiterated the unhealthy debt scenario in both states with Andhra doing worse on account of Jagan Reddy’s extreme welfarism and irresponsible spending on non-developmental activities with zero returns on investment and employment opportunities or sustainable local economic growth.
In a noteworthy development in neighbouring Telangana, Chandrasekar Rao’s ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) announced candidates for 115 of the 119 seats in the state assembly ahead of this year’s polls. Only seven current MLAs appear to have lost their seats. BRS party leaders claim that this is an indication of their party’s confidence in winning the 2023 state elections for a record, third consecutive term. Meanwhile, the Telangana state Congress party unit, desperate for a win or at least a close fight, is observed trying to grab state headlines almost every day over pretty much anything to do with BRS leaders, party policies and schemes, various events, alleged irregularities and instances of graft. The Congress party feels entitled to stake a claim on Telangana’s administration, as its 2014 central leadership was instrumental in the split of Telangana from the larger Andhra Pradesh, with a covert understanding of cooperation from BRS party leader and current Telangana CM, K Chandrasekar Rao.
In the higher rank and file of the Congress, people who have expressed interest in contesting the upcoming state elections, include former cricketer, Mohammed Azharuddin. He is the current Telangana state Congress working president (appointed in 2018) and has hinted at his plans of contesting from Hyderabad.
The BJP’s Telangana unit continues its satisfactory growth trajectory, expanding its support among a core base. After successfully establishing a strong presence in a short span of under 10 years, it is hoping to emerge as the winner of the 2023 state polls or the largest opposition party, with considerable political and social clout in the state.
In Andhra Pradesh, it has a long way to go in terms of two critical factors – effective, popular local leaders and gaining support from its target population. It hasn’t had much success on either front. It has had a few strong, strategy-focused, national-level leaders hailing from Andhra Pradesh (M Venkaiah Naidu, GVL Narasimha Rao, V Ram Madhav, Y Sujana Chowdary, etc.) but none except former Vice President of India, Venkaiah Naidu, has been able to build a strong rapport with the local voters and electoral constituents.
While continuing to work towards building its base and establishing a strong foundation in Andhra, it is trying to increase its presence and popularity in Telangana where it hopes to bank on local leaders like Bandaru Dattatreya, current Governor for Haryana and G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Tourism.
(Shivani is a freelance writer based in Vijayawada)
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