Hyderabad: The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief K Chandrashekhararao is gambling once again. Popularly known as KCR, who has attained a cult figure status after his long, spirited fight for Telangana state yielded desired result is now sailing on two boats at the same time.
KCR is contesting in the Assembly elections from Gajwel in Medak district and in the Lok Sabha elections from Medak seat. KCR said that he had decided to teach a lesson to the Congress by contesting from Medak in the Lok Sabha elections.
The TRS MP from Medak and a one time super star of Telugu cinema Vijayashanthi defected to the Congress in the last February and it has made KCR angry. The Congress has denied ticket Vijayashanthi from Medak.
Medak is KCR's native place and his nephew Harish Rao is seeking a re-election from Siddipet Assembly seat in Medak LS constituency this time. KCR won 5 consecutive elections from Siddipet assembly seat between 1985 - 2001.
KCR's son K T Ramarao is seeking re-election from Sircilla assembly seat in Karimnagar district. KCR's daughter K Kavitha is making her electoral debut from Nizamabad Lok Sabha seat, this time.
KCR is facing criticism for fielding 3 members from his family in the current Assembly and Lok Sabha election. But, he dismisses such remarks saying that all of them got tickets for their fight for Telangana state and he is not favouring them.
Political analysts in Hyderabad argue that KCR is contesting in both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections to keep all his options open post poll results. They feel that KCR will join any alliance that comes to power at the Centre after the elections and will become a Central minister, if his party fails to come to power in Telangana. If the TRS comes to power in Telangana, he will opt for the chief minister's post and resign from the Lok Sabha.
KCR: A master gambler in politics
K Chandrashekhararao is now a cult figure across Telangana, India's 29th state. For him, it has been a long journey. KCR who started his political career in the youth Congress under the leadership late Sanjay Gandhi, later became a top leader of the TDP and won four consecutive Assembly elections on the TDP ticket between 1985 and 1999.
He parted ways with the TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu in 2000 and floated his party TRS to fight for Telangana, a year later.
KCR has always been a gambler, who loves taking risks. This time, he has taken a big risk by refusing to merge or align his party with the Congress. His party is contesting on its own in both assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
The people those who know him quiet well say that he is extremely shrewd and takes calculated risks. KCR joined the TDP in 1983 after NT Ramarao floated the party and contested in the 1983 assembly election from Siddipet in Medak district. He lost. But, he won four elections from the same seat between 1985 and 1999. It is also a fact that KCR has not lost any election since 1985.
He has won every election since then. Be it an Assembly or a Lok Sabha election.
KCR has successfully taken on all formidable leaders in AP, be it N Chandrababu Naidu or Y S Rajashekhara Reddy. He emerged victorious on most occasions.
Political observers in Hyderabad say that KCR is a great survivor and a master strategist. He knows which way the wind is blowing.
After the Parliament created a separate state of Telangana, KCR's popularity has reached its peak in Telangana, making him a cult figure. His supporters feel that the grateful populace of Telangana will vote for KCR's party in both Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
The TRS is not organizationally strong like the Congress or the TDP in Telangana. It is very strong in Karimnagar and Warangal districts. It has a good following in Medak, Nizamabad and Adilabad districts. It has a marginal presence in Rangareddy and Greater Hyderabad comprising Hyderabad and Secundarabad. It is weak in Khammam, Nalgonda and Mahbubnagar districts.
In its strongholds, the TRS has 55 Assembly seats and 7 Lok Sabha seats. In 61 Assembly seats and 8 Lok Sabha seats, the TRS is not strong.
That's why many argue that KCR has taken a huge risk by deciding to go solo in the elections. It is not that KCR is not aware of it. A clever politician KCR is fully aware of it. He knows both his strengths and weaknesses. But, he wants to take a big risk and see if it works for him one last time.
He is hoping that the TRS will win minimum 50 Assembly seats and 5 Lok Sabha seats on its own even in a worse scenario. With the help of Owaisi brothers MIM and the Communists, he can cross the halfway mark of 60 seats. If that happens, he will most likely become the first chief minister of Telangana state. Even though he has been saying that he is not interested in the CM post, finally he will accept that. Showing no interest in power has also been a part of KCR's strategy for a long time.
According to insiders, KCR may join any alliance that comes to power at the Centre. Since Telangana has a substantial number of Muslim population, he is staying away from joining hands with the BJP.
It may help the BJP-TDP alliance in Telangana to win a dozen seats.
KCR's gamble may pay off this time. Even it does not; he has already cemented his position as the chief architect of Telangana state and has secured a prime position in its history.
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