Warangal: Can Rahul Gandhi set the tone for Congress' juggernaut?

Warangal: Can Rahul Gandhi mesmerise the people in Telangana to bring back the Congress on winning track could well be a million dollar question. But the TPCC is indeed buoyant that their stalwart leader's public meeting in Warangal on May 6 could well revitalise the party cadres in the run up to the 2023 elections.

Even though the grand 137-year-old Congress has a dedicated vote bank in Telangana, the one-upmanship approach of the leaders drove the party to the brink. As this was not enough, party hoppers turned worsen the situation. However, the cadres appear to be upbeat since A Revanth Reddy took over as the TPCC president. Amid bickering and setbacks within party ranks, the State leadership hopes to revive the party's chances in the next elections with Rahul Gandhi's public meeting, christened as Rythu Sangharshana Sabha.

If one goes by the top leadership of the Congress, it assumes Warangal as the party's lucky mascot. They recall the BC Garjana Sabha held in 2002, which was addressed by Sonia Gandhi. The Congress leaders believe that it set the tone for their return to power at the Centre and State in 2004. What that augurs well for the Congress is that it had successfully created hype around the May 6 Rahul Gandhi's public meeting. The party made it even more interesting by stating that Rahul would announce the 'Warangal Declaration' that serves as a tramline for the future course of action in the run up to elections next year. It may be noted here that 'Warangal Declaration' is a popular phrase in this part of the State that reminds the 1997 'Warangal Declaration' organised by the All India People's Resistance Forum (AIPRF) which set the tone for the second phase of the separate State movement.

On the other hand, the Congress leadership also made sure to get the media and public attention by sending its top leaders almost every day to Warangal in the name of inspecting public meeting arrangements. Speakin zg to The Hans India, Warangal DCC president Naini Raender Reddy said: "Warangal is fortunate to hold Rahul Gandhi's meeting.

This will set the tone for the Congress' juggernaut ahead of 2023 elections. Apart from the main dais, we have erected two more daises – one for the kin of farmers who committed suicide and the other one for the cultural activity."