Has KCR Put Federal Front On the Back Burner?

K Jayadev

The ambitious and much talked about national alternative front of regional parties that was initiated by Telangana Rastra Samiti (TRS) President and Telamgana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao seems to have taken a back seat for 2019 elections and could end up as a non-starter. Announced as a non-BJP and non-Congress front, tentatively named as Federal Front, the initiative started off on a grand note. But over the last three months it appears, has fizzled out and in all probability it will not see the light of the day. Leave alone Federal Front, going by the developments, it looks like TRS has decided to go with BJP in the next elections.

The TRS-BJP alliance doesn't come as a surprise to many who have been following KCR's moves. KCR's second meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in less than 50 days has lent credence to rumours about growing closeness between TRS and BJP. If one were to go by the words of TRS leaders, the Saturday's meeting between KCR and Modi was crucial and it sealed the pact between the two.

It was more or less confirmed that KCR's Saturday visit to Delhi and meeting with Modi was to finalise the modalities of the partnership. Everybody knew that KCR was carrying the same list and same memorandum which he submitted to Modi on June 15. In less than two months, he again submits the same to Modi. The only new topics was enhancement of BC quota. What was the reason behind meeting Modi with the same wish list?

Also Read: KCR-Modi Meet: Kaleshwaram, High Court And Secretariat Key Topics

Looking back on the TRS attitude towards BJP, it all started with the Presidential elections followed by its overreaction to the no-trust vote motion placed by YSR Congress Party during the budget session. The TRS, along with AIADMK, stalled the House proceedings until the end of the session and saw to it that the no-confidence motion did not come for discussion.

What followed as the Vice President elections in which the TRS openly supported BJP candidate Venkaiah Naidu. Then the recent no-trust vote placed by TDP which was immediately accepted for debate by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. TRS showed its extreme favourtism to the saffron party and abstained from voting. It is very clear that TRS has always been trying to take sides with BJP.

Then why did the issue of Federal Front come up? Like any other politician, KCR too became ambitious and thought it was the right opportunity to take national plunge while his son KTR could be entrusted with the responsibility of the Telangana State. Since demonetisation and GST hit common people hard, KCR thought there was anti-BJP sentiment brewing across the country. Despite four years of BJP rule, people continue to rue Congress for its past. Keeping these in mind, the TRS Chief thought it was time to come up with a front that was non-BJP and non-Congress.

Kick-starting his campaign, KCR traveled across the country to meet regional party leaders. From Karunanidhi to Deve Gowda and Akhilesh Yadav to Mamta Banerjee, the Telangana CM went state hopping, seeking support for his proposed front from all these leaders. But it was Mamata Banerjee followed by MK Satlin and Kanimozhi who actually put KCR in place and directly indicated that it was not possible without Congress. This dashed KCR’s hopes. Even though it took some time for KCR to re-cover, he wasted little time in getting closer to BJP. And when the opportunity came, TRS men did the needful in the Parliament.

Today, KCR can meet up Modi any time. In fact, before the KCR-Modi meet, KTR also made a courtesy call to Modi. How could these leaders get PM's appointment so easily while the leaders from AP find it a herculean task? It appears now that BJP too has decided that if TDP has deserted, TRS can fill the gap. While criticising Chandrababu during the no-trust vote debate last month, Modi praised Telangana for its development graph.

But is KCR ready to give space for BJP in Telangana? Will he make an announcement of the alliance before or after polls? Will BJP give in to all the demands of TRS? These are few questions that need to be answered before the two parties formally wed. But these should not be a major hindrance going by the mood of KCR.

At the end of the day, everyone is looking to bet on a winning horse, so are TRS and BJP. But for the time being, the concept of alternative front looks more like a mirage.

Also Read: TDP-Congress Unholy Alliance For 2019 Elections In AP?