Daunting task

The Congress party, which is still deep-rooted at the grassroots level in Telangana, just got another pilot to steer it through a turbulent phase. It has brought in a qualified pilot, Uttam Kumar Reddy, a four-time legislator, as Telangana PCC president to give the party unit the much needed thrust and direction. However, contrary to their calculations, the man in the cockpit may crash-land the aircraft, unless he immediately attends to eliminating internal dissensions plaguing the party ever since the demise of the all-powerful Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy. The near-orphaned power structure drew a blank in the residual Andhra Pradesh, while in Telangana it could not stop the TRS juggernaut and finished with a tally of 21, which is further reduced to 17 after four Legislators moved over to the ruling TRS. The only saving grace, if that could be called so, is that it has the ‘support’ of a TRS rebel-turned-associate member.

Apparently, terms like ‘once bitten twice shy’ are non-existent in the Congress. The low-point is that there is no semblance of any workable coordination between the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) and TPCC. There are many who do not see eye to eye within the party, which has come as Godsend to TRS. In the given circumstances, and with the intention of reviving their fortunes, or whatever remains of it, the high command has zeroed in on Uttam Kumar Reddy. Bolstered by the elevation, the otherwise low-profile Reddy has vowed to bring back the good old days and asserted that the honeymoon period is over for the TRS.

Political circles are wondering if the new poster-boy can actually change the fortunes and achieve what the high command expects of him. The postures being adopted are also parallel to one another indicating the absence of a united fight. If Uttam Reddy has started on an aggressive note, this comes in stark contrast to the soft approach by the CLP leader, K Jana Reddy, who was noticeably mild towards the TRS, including when 10 TDP members were suspended for the entire session on Monday. Despite being the Leader of the Opposition, Jana Reddy remained aloof when Congress member Sampath came out openly against the dictatorial attitude of the Treasury benches. Uttam is leaving no stone unturned while launching scathing attacks against the CM, while Jana Reddy appears to be in no mood to confront the ruling party. This has only exposed the fact that the party is bereft of any charismatic leader who could give proper direction. Given the precarious double-edged situation, the new boss has an uphill task in mobilising a united struggle against the TRS government, which is growing from strength to strength. It is high time Uttam Kumar set his house in order first, if at all his party is to make any meaningful headway in Telangana State.