NAVEENA GHANATE
Hyderabad
Amid unending speculations over the possibility of the Centre pushing its proposal for ‘One Nation One Election’ (Jamili polls), Bharat Rashtra Samiti leaders are worked up over internal strife; for, disgruntled leaders may dent the party’s prospects. If the polls are going to be simultaneous, the elections per se will be postponed further.
Keeping the BRS cadre together now seems a herculean task as even Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has said that the announced list is not final. The more the time the party gets to wait, the more they must struggle to keep the cadre intact.
Sources in the party said that whatever be the plan that had been put in place, getting more time will help people think more and give opposition parties chance to woo candidates. There are several sulking MLAs and ticket aspirants. Sources said everyday someone or the other from opposition parties “is reaching out to our party leaders”. There is also a reverse threat from the party cadre.
Sources said: “Come elections, people will want to showcase how important they are and constantly remind us about someone else wooing them. Expenses are bound to go up. Already the expenses are high ever since the list has come out. To continue the momentum, God knows how long will be a big task”.
Sources said that already there was discontent among BRS cadre who are unable to align with their opponents.
In the erstwhile districts of Adilabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Warangal and Nalgonda, internal factions are reportedly on rise. Sources said, “Even in those areas where there is no internal bickering, potential issues may come up as there is time even for rebels to up their game and gain in surveys. CM relied on surveys and announced tickets. If a person got less in the survey, they could make enough moves to outdo the already announced candidate”. There are several strong contenders in each Assembly constituency. The Congress is making moves to woo potential winners into their party. Sources said, “We cannot just make promises about some posts, but may have to give them too as those who had missed the bus could jump over to other parties or enter the fray as rebels. Like it or not, at least a few must be given some post to set an example which can’t be postponed after elections”.
BRS has previously supported the concept of One Nation One Election. Sources said that they were not sure if the Chief Minister would rethink on it. So far the party has not come out with its own stance in the light of the present central push for One Nation, One Election.
