The unprecedented massive victory of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Eatala Rajender for Huzurabad assembly constituency by-election has not gone down well with ruling Telangana Rastra Samiti (TRS). All the leaders are still in shock and have not come to terms with BJP’s victory. Despite throwing sops and money at voters, Huzurabad gave a decisive mandate that is likely to haunt TRS for a long time.
BJP leaders from the state and country and terming this victory in Huzurabad has the step towards taking the state from the hands of TRS in 2023 assembly elections. The saffron party is on full high, especially the victory exactly one year after the party created its first major upset by winning the Dubbaka by-election.
Despite BJP showing winning streak, Huzurabad and Etela’s victory is special because the margin of win at Dubbaka was just 1,000 votes, while it is more than 23,000 votes this time. According to Bandi Sanjay, state BJP president, “This clearly points out the trend of people’s minds. Going to 2023, we are sure capture power in Telangana and get rid of TRS’ misrule.”
Interesting the promise of Dalit Bandhu seems to have not worked out for TRS. The party chief K Chandrasekhar Rao’s charisma also seems to be wading out. TRS was so confident that it did not bother to field a popular candidate against Etela Rajender, who is very widespread among the people in Huzurabad. The party thought that KCR’s name was enough to cakewalk with the assembly seat. In fact there were reports in local newspapers quoting KT Rama Rao, TRS working president that they could field anybody or even an animal and win Huzurabad!
With this loss, there will be a huge shake up in TRS and many rebels are expected to come out. Moreover the huge task at hand for KCR is to manage to keep everyone intact by allotting seats to candidates from all walks in the upcoming six MLCs seats. Many aspirants are making beeline to Telangana and Pragathi Bhavans. If KCR disappoints certain sections, there is chance of rebellion. And this is the opportunity that BJP is looking at to attract leaders from TRS into its fold. Certainly things are not that rosy as it seemed till few months ago for TRS. It is time they pull up their socks and act or handover the power to BJP and walk away!