SNCN ACHARYULU /Hyderabad
With the Telangana Assembly elections approaching the Congress and the BJP are targeting the ruling BRS.While the BJP is trying to induct BRS MLAs, the Congress concentrates on BRS MLCs. The BJP prefers BRS MLAs while the Congress prefers BRS MLCs to BRS MLAs.
It may be recalled that Telangana BJP President Bandi Sanjay Kumar confirmed this through a slip of his tongue.The main reason for this is that the BJP does not have candidates of sufficient stature. The BJP has no leaders and cadres in many Assembly constituencies. The BJP depends on BRS MLAs and is hoping that some BRS MLAs will join them.
Meanwhile, the BJP-led Central Government is trying to frighten BRS MLAs using Central investigation agencies. If BRS MLAs do not join through Operation Aakarsh, then the BJP will start its game using Central agencies.
Most politicians in Telangana have some business. This is proving an advantage to the BJP which is in power at the Centre to frighten opposition politicians.
Telangana BJP President Bandi Sanjay Kumar said that around 20 BRS MLAs are in touch with him. The BJP thinks that if some BRS MLAs join their party they can field strong candidates in many Assembly constituencies.Meanwhile, the view of the main opposition Congress is different. As per Karnataka PCC President DK Shiv Kumar’s directions the party is hunting for BRS MLCs than MLAs. DK is looking after the Telangana unit of the Congress.
The Congress thinks that BRS MLAs are more likely to have earned public ill will than BRS MLCs.The Congress wants to admit BRS MLCs wherever its candidates are weak. If BRS MLAs want to join the Congress they are welcome but the party will not guarantee them Assembly tickets. But if BRS MLCs join the Congress it is ready to promise Assembly tickets in places where Congress candidates are weak.
Keeping this in view the Congress is identifying which BRS MLC can be useful as its candidate. The Congress is operating silently under the leadership of DK Shiv Kumar.
The BRS MLC of Mahbubnagar district, K. Damodar Reddy, has already decided to join the Congress. Sources in the BJP and the Congress said that there will be defections from the BRS soon. Meanwhile, the BRS is also taking steps to ensure that no MLA or MLC leaves it.
