Telangana State leaders get down to poll business

It is not for nothing that the saying ‘Politics makes for strange bedfellows’ is among the most used ones. Its significance has assumed newer dimensions since the time the notorious ‘aaya ram, gaya ram’ became integral to the country’s ever-changing political dimensions.

A similar likelihood is glaringly on show in the ensuing Singareni Collieries Employees Union (SCEU) elections. By all accounts, and according to the buzz doing the rounds of political corridors, is that it could well be a dress-rehearsal for 2019 general elections, particularly with regard to the alliances that have been struck.

In the circumstances, it is not surprising that the SCEU elections are witnessing a strange political chemistry. Understandably, this new-found bonhomie is not without any long-term political implications, which is why it cannot be dismissed as a mere political expediency.

The opposition parties trying to regroup themselves and making efforts to win over the masses is quite understandable. This is more so because on the ground things remain almost stagnant-Congress, BJP and TDP have not been able to regain an inch of lost ground in the last three years, despite going all out to ‘expose; the mechanisms and ‘anti-people’ policies of the TRS-led State Government.

The Congress remains clueless because of ego-ridden clashes; the TDP is in near-oblivion while the BJP State unit is yet to convince its central bosses of the need to stop the soft approach towards Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao forthwith.

Not to be left behind in poll arithmetic KCR has prepared his own counter, which he is to unleash in a phased manner so that the opposition efforts could be nipped in the bud. His report card will include honouring of promises made in the 2014 election manifesto.

Similarly, he does not want to take any chance with programmes like distribution of sheep and buffalos at subsidized cost. The fruits of the blue revolution will be reaped during the elections, is the understanding.

In fact the Chief Minister is said to be contemplating to utilise the Monsoon Session of the State Assembly to tear into the opposition on various issues that they are likely to prop up.

By V RAMU SARMA