Politics makes strange bedfellows. And, as they say, “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”. So, in view of the changed political equations following the Congress’ victory in the recent Telangana Assembly elections; the BJP (which had failed to prove that it is the ‘only alternative’ to the Bharat Rashtra Samithi in TS) and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi
(which saw near total erosion of its minority voter base) are likely to join hands before the Lok Sabha elections and may go for a pre-poll alliance.
The BRS has lost it minority voter base; as, except Hyderabad, nowhere else they voted for the pink party. Now in Parliament, this would not make a huge difference. In such situation, the party, having analysed the loss of Muslim vote bank, is looking at an alliance with BJP.
Siding with the BJP will be helpful for BRS; for the pink party is certain that the National Democratic Alliance is likely to come to power again at the Centre. With Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy perceived in various quarters to be on a witch hunt, cases against BRS leaders will only pile up further.
Analysts believe that when the Congress prowl starts, a lot of BRS legislators are likely to leave the party. To keep the party flock together and to forestall defections, the BRS is sending feelers to BJP for joining the NDA alliance. While the BJP state unit is against
the very idea of an alliance, the high command is in a dilemma on timing BRS’ admission. The high command is weighing whether BRS should be admitted before or after the General Election.
The Lok Sabha elections are typically between the Congress and the BJP. So, where does the BRS stand? This is weighing on the minds of BJP brass. In Karnataka, the JDS and
the BJP stayed away, but could not get power.
Now, they way is to contest together to prevent splitting of votes. Telangana is likely to throw up a similar situation. In an interview, CM Revanth Reddy indicated that there is
a chance for the two parties (BJP and BRS) to contest together. “If they directly tie up, it will favour the Congress, he said.
Revanth also said that a few of BJP folks were talking about BRS leaders “being in touch” them. While clarifying that he did not care about it, Revanth conceded there was a possibility of an alliance between the two parties.
