Why Is KCR Opting For Early Elections?

K Jayadev

For over four months Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) President and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has been dropping hints on various occasions from party Plenary to general party meetings that there is a possibility of having Telangana state assembly elections early. The latest developments have more than proved that he has set his mind on early elections.

Political critics say that the recent meeting between the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and KCR were to discuss about the possible early elections in Telangana. Though a supporter of One Nation One Election, KCR decided to go in for early polls because it is understood that Modi has said that there would be no change in General Elections schedule.

So in all probability, KCR is likely to dissolve the assembly and go in for elections along with three BJP ruled states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chattisgarh. The Telangana assembly elections are due along with General Elections to be held in April-May 2019.

The reason for opting early elections is that KCR had commissioned an opinion poll to understand it position. TRS was banking on panchayat elections to prove its strength in the state and would serve as a runup for the assembly and General Elections. But unfortunately the panchayat elections have caught in a legal battle with High Court giving stay and seeking many clarifications.

KCR has been preparing the ground for early elections since four months. Though his challenge to Congress and BJP to face early polls was initially not received well, later they understood the intensity of his call and were stunned. Both the parties recovered and dared KCR to dissolve the legislative assembly and call for elections.

In a recent meeting held during erstwhile Congress party leader Danam Nagender joining TRS, KCR expressed confidence of winning more than 100 assembly seats in the upcoming elections. "People of the state are witness to developmental activities being carried out by the government. In democratic countries, good governments have always been encouraged in the elections."

The confidence was that the "range of welfare schemes that he had introduced in the recent times." The state government's unmatched functioning is turning out to be a matter of emulation for national leaders, he proudly announced. The great orator that he is, KCR quickly turned the tables on the opposition and said, since this is an election year, the opposition parties are resorting to making all kinds of baseless allegations against the government.

"I am throwing a challenge to all the parties with respect to their readiness to fight early elections, Members of our party are raring to go. I have a feeling that there will be early elections this time. We have full support of the people of the state and we are ready to go to polls anytime," he said in a meeting two months ago.

KCR is also planning to unveil more welfare schemes on August 15, on the occasion of Independence Day, for better poll preparedness. He has developed a reserve of 30 documentaries and 20 short films showcasing the initiatives of the government over the last four and half years. Meanwhile ministers and many party leaders have been sent to their respective constituencies to complete many unfinished tasks in developing infrastructure in the state as well as to step up the campaign for second term.

KCR is counting on in going for a surprise election announcement after the Independence Day celebration is to encash on the lack of preparedness of the Congress and its marked disunity amongst its leaders as opposed to an election-ready TRS.

The fact of the matter is de-linking Assembly from Lok Sabha would help the party stay in power. They fear that simultaneous polls may go against the TRS as the Congress would be battle ready.

Will the gamble work for KCR and TRS? Over the last 18 months, Congress which was down and out for the last three years has regained strength. The Congress is hopeful of getting SC/ST and Muslim votes and that might put TRS in a tight spot, but time alone will tell.