KCR Seeks Jagan’s Help In Telangana?

The back-to-back shocks – Dubbak and GHMC results – have alerted CM K Chandrasekhar Rao and made him initiate an action plan. It is buzzed that irked KCR wants to put a check to BJP’s surge in Telangana.

As the Lotus is blooming and rising as the major opposition in the state, TRS is trying to revive the YCP in Telangana. In a bid to check the onslaught of the BJP and to split the anti-incumbency votes, KCR reportedly held discussions with the YCP’s top brass.

The TRS chief reportedly suggested that the Seemandhra party, which has stalled its activities in Telangana, should immediately restart functioning in the state.

Thanks to late YSR’s legacy and strong Reddy base, YSRCP did make some noise in Telangana. In 2012, YCP had contested 18 assembly seats in United Andhra Pradesh including Telangana. Out of 18 Assembly seats, YSRCP won 15 seats and one MP seat in Nellore. Konda Surekha from Parakala of Warangal district won on YSRCP ticket.

In Khammam, YSRCP did have some base. But that vote share eventually went to other parties in Telangana. As YSRCP not contested in 2018 and shut down its operations, the party’s vote base is shared by Congress, TRS and some extent to BJP. As BJP is rising in Telangana as a major force, now this vote share is getting consolidated and is shifting towards the Saffron force thus posing major threat to TRS.

Sharmila Tour

After Jagan was jailed in the disproportionate assets case, in 2012, his sister Sharmila took up a padayatra which passed through Telangana too. However, during bifurcation of the state, the YCP’s anti-Telangana decision put the party in a tight spot. At that time, Telangana supporters attacked Jagan during his tour in Manukota. Telangana supporters termed Jagan’s followers as jaffas. In the wake of severe opposition from Telangana followers, several leaders quit the YCP.

In the 2014 general elections, which were held after the formation of separate Telangana, YCP won one Lok Sabha seat and three Assembly seats and all of them belonged to the border districts of Khammam. However, with the TRS emerging victorious in the elections in Telangana, all the YCP leaders switched sides to the TRS but the party had not initiated any disciplinary action against them. Since then, Jagan and KCR have been maintaining a good relationship. KCR has been displaying fatherly love towards Jagan.

In the just concluded GHMC polls, it is being said that the YCP cadre worked in favour of the TRS and against the BJP. There is buzz that the YCP men had ensured that all the settlers votes were cast in favour of the TRS and thereby reduced the BJP’s strength.

Check BJP Growth

In the wake of such a situation, KCR is reportedly suggesting that the YCP begin its activities in Telangana to put a check on the BJP. In the next few months, several elections like the Warangal and Khammam civic body polls and Nagarjunasagar Assembly bypolls are scheduled and KCR wants the TRS to reclaim its lost ground.

KCR feels that revival of YCP in Telangana would split the anti-incumbency and Reddy community votes too and put a check on the growth of the BJP in the state. KCR is of the opinion that the anti-incumbency votes would not be cast in favour of the Congress and this would mean there should be some other party that can attract their votes. KCR wants the YCP to be an alternative to the Congress too.

Jagan-BJP Relationship

The Telangana Chief Minister seems to be feeling that the voters should have a third option apart from the TRS and BJP to put a check on the latter. Else, he feels there is a threat to the ruling TRS.

But, in the wake of dependency Jagan is exhibiting on the BJP at the Centre to save himself from the numerous CBI and ED cases registered against him, will the AP Chief Minister take up this proposal is a big question.

KCR is suggesting that the YCP put a check on the BJP in Telangana and this means going against the Centre’s policies and rubbing the saffron party on the wrong side which would automatically evoke the wrath of the Central leaders.

Political analysts say that Jagan in all likelihood would not accept KCR’s proposal to keep himself in a safe position.