BJP to strengthen base in Telangana, Andhra

The BJP national leadership observed the crowds in Warangal to assess the strength of TRS. It prepared a two-pronged strategy to strengthen the party in Telugu states

​New Delhi: Even as the TRS show of strength was on in Warangal on Thursday, a section of the BJP national leadership here was carefully monitoring the meeting. The massive crowd that attended the meeting, the enthusiasm displayed by the TRS cadres and their response to the speech of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao were all scanned properly, it is learnt.

"It is time to do the SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis a bit more seriously (of TRS)," a senior functionary commented later. If need be, the party is ready to “tackle and cultivate" the TRS, he adds.

The BJP national leadership, which has turned its attention to the south of Vindhyas' nowadays after its remarkable show in the north, is focusing its energies on the two Telugu states. BJP national president Amit Shah, who has repeatedly toured Telangana, has already called upon the cadres and leaders to go the extra mile in Telangana and strengthen the party's roots further.

The State leadership has been given an action-plan by the Delhi leadership. Extensive programmes, including booth-level meetings have been suggested in which even Amit Shah would be taking part. Those in key positions at all levels of the party have been asked to dedicate themselves more for party work this year.

BJP is unhappy at the "lack of the killer instinct" among its leadership in Telangana. It is also aware of the complaints against some senior leaders, including a central cabinet minister that their hobnobbing with the TRS leadership was costing the BJP much.

The BJP has been planning to consolidate its position in Telangana around two key issues - Muslim reservations and corruption - and attack the TRS leadership vehemently.

Though it is eager to take the issue, of providing 12 per cent reservations to the Muslims under BC (E) category, to the people, it has its own reservations on consolidation of its vote bank.

Corruption is the second issue which it could be seen hammering out in the future. Simultaneously, it is also looking at the chinks in the TRS armoury just as it is doing in case of other rivals throughout the country.

Of late, the BJP has been cultivating the policy of strengthening itself with the help of strong leaders from the opposition. "At least half a dozen such leaders from the Congress and a few from the TRS are amenable to the suggestion though we are not rushing to a conclusion. Parties like TRS have no moral stature anyway having lured the opponents into its net and in opposing their own migrations.

In the wake of the recent UP results, TRS was quick to reassess its strengths unlike other opponents of the BJP who took shelter behind the EVM malfunctioning theory. K Chandrasekhar Rao has been taking a closer look at his policies and priorities. That is one reason, the BJP feels, he is sparing no effort to reach out to the marginal sections with special programmes and policies.