Shah to embark on Mission Telangana State

Will Amit Shah’s next visit change political equations in Telangana State? This is the hot topic in political parties, right now. The state BJP too is planning its strategies in such a way that the national president will concentrate less on touring districts and accord more importance to reaching out to communities and look to poach leaders from other parties, particularly from Congress, which seems most vulnerable of the lot.

The BJP does not appear to be keen to try for some kind of open electoral understanding with the TDP and Congress but will look for creating a support base from other communities like the Reddys, and Dalits, who have traditionally been with parties like Congress and Telugu Desam Party (TDP).

It also wants to consolidate Hindu votes by taking on the State Government on issues like non-celebration of Telangana Liberation day on September 17 as an official function besides raking up the Rajakar issue, all over again.

During his three0day visit, Shah will also review the organizational set-up and devise political strategies for the party. The state BJP had successfully constituted about 28000 booth level committees across the State after Shah’s May visit.

The national party, which has been closely monitoring the functioning of the state unit, had given certain directions to them and ensured that booth level committees were put in place, sooner than later.

The party central leadership feels that the State unit needs to tighten its belt, which could be achieved and become more pronounced, if the local leaders burn the hatchet and work with more purposeful zest, Amit Shah would also focus on this issue and discuss the party’s prospects with regard to the 2019 elections with some non-BJP members and intellectuals to understand the current political scenario.

The BJP is of the opinion that TDP is seen as an Andhra party in Telangana and an alliance or open electoral understanding with them would damage the saffron party’s poll prospects.

The recent surveys conducted by the party indicated that they have a strong base in about 35 constituencies. Hence, they feel that if they succeed in poaching some leaders from parties like Congress or TDP or the disgruntled ones in the ruling TRS things would be different, the party leadership feels.

Interestingly, the central party has taken up the responsibility on its shoulders to negotiate with possible turncoats. If the party can work out its strategies carefully, it can definitely make a mark by 2019 elections.

The party that never enjoyed any based in Tamil Nadu was making impressive inroads in that region. If it can do so there, certainly it can emerge as a strong political alternative in Telangana, goes the wisdom of the national leadership.

It now remains to be seen who the dark horses are and to what extent that are willing to jump on to the BJP bandwagon. While TDP leaders feel that some of their cadre could switch sides, the TPCC is also worried that there is a possibility of some leaders joining BJP since the Congress has not been able to create confidence that it is the real opposition party in the State.

Though the Congress leaders brush aside such talk and say that the saffron brigade is indulging in mind-games, the fact remains that the AICC had not been able to bring unity among the state leaders, who spend more time in pulling down their foes in the party.