TRS embarks on Mission Consolidation

Political heat is picking up thick and fast in Telangana State. However, there is the other, and perhaps darker, side, to the story. Where are the roads? This is the refrain of the man on the street, who is going all out to vent his ire at the pathetic conditions, particularly in the State capital. ‘Where is my fee reimbursement?’ wonder the hapless students. ‘My farm loan has not been waived’ rues every other farmer. Health cards are not being honoured, point out employees and Arogyasri patients.

A rational look gives birth to thoughts and raises doubts over whether an anti-incumbency feeling is gathering steam. The opposition parties feel so. They think the government has got its priorities wrong. The government, they charge, is giving high priority to construction of the new camp office for the Chief Minister and demolishing the Secretariat to make way for a palatial structure rather than addressing people's issues. Thus both the Congress and the TTDP are trying to galvanise their ranks and regain lost ground.

The CPI(M) has launched Mahajana Padayatra to create awareness among the people on the government's failures. But then the ruling TRS, which has smelt a rat is also working out its own master strategies to see that the opposition does not get an upper hand. In fact, all the major political parties seem to have got into an election mood much ahead of the hustings.

A quick review by the TRS has revealed that the works pertaining to Mission Bhagiratha and Mission Kakatiya are on in full swing and people have received it in a very positive manner. Though it has not been as successful yet in regard to implementation of two bed-room housing scheme, it hopes to expedite the project in the next couple of months. Similarly, the Chief Minister has directed his ministers to ensure that all the schemes like health cards, clearing of pending dues of Arogyasri and fee reimbursement are resolved immediately.

He wants all these issues to be resolved by next month-end. Sources say that the government which had so far focused attention on developmental activities would now concentrate on welfare measures. On the political side, the TRS boss is said to be making a detailed analysis of the caste composition in each of the new districts and strengthen the party by encouraging new leadership in a majority of the Assembly constituencies.

According to insiders, some of the first time MLAs have already been told that they may not get a chance to contest in 2019 but they could be accommodated in important posts either nominated or within the organizational structure. The party leadership feels that most of the first timers owe their win to the ‘T’ wave that swept the State and may not be in a position to score an encore on their own.

Moreover, the TRS party is said to be in a mood to woo some of the important leaders from the Reddy community. If their plans succeed those who join the party will have to be given tickets. Analysts say that KCR has given an indication of his future plans by selecting a good number of candidates from Reddy community for nominated posts. It is also being said that the party is in close touch with important leaders from the community, which is generally perceived as a pro-Congress entity.

KCR wants TRS to win 90 seats on its own. Towards this, he has already asked the party leaders to extend an olive branch to senior Congress leaders. He is said to have expressed his willingness to give tickets to their children in case they are planning to launch them into active electoral politics. Those who have already joined the party have also been given an assurance that their son or daughter would be fielded from the constituency of their choice.

Sensing trouble and having felt that the T-Congress has not been able to take on the government, the AICC is also said to be seriously considering a change of guard in next six months. Senior leader Koppula Raju has been asked to closely monitor the situation and keep the AICC posted of the day-to-day developments in the party.

By V RAMU SARMA