SNCN ACHARYULU
Hyderabad
Ahead of the Telangana Assembly elections, the BRS is showing a keen interest in the Karnataka Assembly elections which is likely to be held in a few months.
The results of the Karnataka Assembly elections may have an impact on the Telangana Assembly elections. This is the reason for the BRS’ interest in the Karnataka Assembly elections. Moreover, the BRS is planning to contest outside Telangana for the first time in Karnataka.
In Karnataka, the main fight will be between the ruling BJP and the main opposition Congress. But the BRS is supporting the Janata Dal (Secular) which is the third force in Karnataka.
The BRS is promoting Janata Dal (S) leader Kumaraswamy as the next Chief Minister. The main rivals in the Karnataka Assembly elections, the BJP and the Congress, are both hostile to the BRS. In Telangana, the BJP and the Congress are the main adversaries of the BRS.
In Karnataka, if the BJP retains power or the Congress regains power it can affect the BRS in Telangana. If the Janata Dal (S) comes to power it will be a boost to the BRS, but the Janata Dal (S) winning is a very remote possibility.
In the last Assembly elections, the BJP emerged as the single largest party by winning 104 seats out of 224 seats. The Congress (80) and the Janata Dal (S) (37) together won more seats than the BJP.
If the same scenario repeats in the Assembly elections the Congress and the Janata Dal (S) may join hands to prevent the BJP from coming to power. This goes against the interests of the BRS as the Congress also is its rival.
The BRS wants to contest the Karnataka Assembly elections by forging an alliance with the Janata Dal (S). If the BRS wins some seats in the Karnataka Assembly elections its role will create interest in case the Congress and the Janata Dal joins hands after the elections.
The BRS is planning to contest the Karnataka Assembly elections in places where Telugus live in significant numbers.
In Telangana, both the Congress and the BJP are claiming that they will come to power in the next Assembly elections. Whichever party wins in Karnataka its cadres will get a psychological boost in Telangana.
Depending on the Karnataka Assembly results, the BRS will have a chance to take corrective measures in the Telangana Assembly elections. There will be at least a three to four-month gap between the Karnataka and Telangana Assembly elections.
