Prof K Nageshwar: Can Eatala Unite Anti-KCR Forces?

Eatala Rajender, the estranged TRS leader, and former minister, seems to be working on a plan to unite all the political forces opposed to chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. Dismissing the speculation in a section of media that he is sending feelers for a compromise with KCR, Eatala Rajender called on the Congress legislative party leader, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka. The ousted minister has also reportedly met BJP leaders DK Aruna and Swamy Goud. In his media interviews post expulsion from the cabinet, Eatala Rajender hinted at uniting all those opposed to KCR. He was referring to KCR’s slogan of uniting Radical Students Union(RSU), a Maoist student outfit to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) during the Telangana movement. The BJP, CPI, CPIML (New Democracy) were all part of TJAC steered by TRS.  

But, Eatala should realize that the Telangana movement and the political fight to dislodge KCR are not the same. Political parties have their strategies on an operation to defeat KCR. The BJP will fight with KCR but conditions apply. The saffron party will blow hot and cold with KCR so that its all-out fight on the pink party does not benefit congress. The BJP is not averse to join hands with the TRS to keep Congress at bay. This is evident from the Lingojiguda episode. Can the congress and BJP or Left and BJP join together in the battle against KCR? The BJP ran a subdued battle in Nagarjunasagar fearing a congress win in the by-poll. 

Eatala Rajender should learn from Prof. Kodandaram’s experience. Political miscalculation stalled the TJS chief’s efforts to enter the legislative council. The professor turned politician was initially expecting that all the opposition parties, especially Congress, left, and the BJP would back him. Prof Kodandaram was expecting to be the epitome of an anti-KCR crusade. But this did not happen. The Congress and the Left were suspicious of Kodandaram having a clandestine understanding with BJP. Congress insisted that it would support Prof Kodandram only if he enters the fray as its nominee. The BJP too was lukewarm in its response to the professor’s appeal for general support. Fearing a BJP surge, the left parties did not even hesitate to support ruling TRS in Nagarjunasagar. The CPI continued its bonhomie with the pink party in the municipal polls, while the CPI(M) backtracked, as the latter faced intense internal opposition to the idea of supporting TRS. 

Thus, Eatala Rajender will remain an opposition poster boy as long as he is engaged in a running feud with TRS leadership. But, political parties behave strangely when it comes to electoral choices. Will Congress support Eatala in the Huzurabad by-poll even if BJP backs him? Will the BJP share dais with the Congress and the Left in the by-poll campaign. 

Meanwhile, political circles often murmur about KCR having his coverts in opposition parties. Will KCR coverts allow their respective parties to support Eatala Rajender? The local leaders of Congress and BJP may not always be forthcoming to back Eatala. For instance, the Congress in charge in the Huzurabad constituency was reportedly embittered with Mallu meeting Eatala. 

Self-respect for leaders within TRS will certainly be not an agenda for anti-KCR unity.    

Thus, Eatala Rajender should tread cautiously as he intends to unite political forces opposed to KCR.

By – Prof K Nageshwar

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