SNCN ACHARYULU
Hyderabad
Both Telugu Chief Ministers have pinned their hopes on welfare schemes and weaker sections in the next Assembly elections.
In Telangana, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, and in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, hope that the welfare schemes and weaker sections will bring victory to them in the Assembly elections.
Apart from welfare schemes KCR is implementing Dalit Bandhu and Girijana Bandhu schemes. In Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister Jagan is implementing welfare schemes for weaker sections. Both the Telugu Chief Ministers think that they can counter anti-incumbency using welfare schemes.
In coming days, both Chief Ministers will concentrate on successfully implementing welfare schemes despite the financial crunch. In appointments to nominated posts, particularly in MLC elections, both Chief Ministers are likely to give importance to weaker sections.
In Telangana, five MLC seats will fall vacant from the Assembly and nominated quota and in Andhra Pradesh about 13 MLC seats from the Assembly and nominated quota and from local bodies by the end of May. There is some negativity among the upper and middle classes about the governments in both states. Both the Chief Ministers are confident about their victory in Assembly elections and are likely to change sitting MLAs in around 25 constituencies in their respective states.
Sources said that Chief Minister Jagan has concluded that around 10 sitting MLAs may leave the party by the time of Assembly elections like Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy and Anam Ram Narayana Reddy. In these constituencies, Jagan is taking steps to promote alternative leaders.
In Andhra Pradesh, Jagan faces only one strong opposition party, that is, the TDP. But in Telangana, KCR faces two strong opposition parties, the Congress and the BJP.
Generally, during elections MLAs who are denied tickets and disappointed strong hopefuls change parties. This may have some effect on the prospects of ruling party candidates in these constituencies. Both Chief Ministers will try to buy such people by offering some other posts to ensure that they do not leave the party.
The main difference between the two Telugu Chief Ministers is that the AP Chief Minister has the full support of the Centre while the Telangana Chief Minister does not have Central support. This makes a lot of difference politically.
Moreover, Central investigation agencies have targeted BRS leaders and the Chief Minister’s family in Telangana.
In Andhra Pradesh, the ruling YSR Congress will face Assembly elections alone under the leadership of Jagan.
In Telangana, the BRS is also likely to face Assembly elections alone according to current political equations. The Left is ready to have an alliance with the BRS. But the alliance with the Left depends on the BRS leadership’s decision on seat sharing.
