Leaving Nothing To Chance

As Polls Approach, KCR Is Busy Securing His Advantage In The Fledgling State

- Amarnath K. Menon

For Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) president K. Chandrashekar Rao, working to a goal with a well-honed strategy is by now second nature. At a special workshop on Sunday, October 21, riding on the spirit of Dussehra festivities, he reminded party leaders that the triumph of good over evil is a continuing battle. “Our immediate challenge is to win over 100 seats,” says KCR, the implication being that victory in the December 7 assembly elections is a foregone conclusion.

What makes KCR so confident of a second term? Well, for one thing, he believes his image as the man who delivered Telangana on June 2, 2014, will still hold this election. But the TRS chief isn’t banking on this legacy alone. He announced the names of 105 of the 119 contestants as early as September 6, after dissolving the state assembly eight months ahead of completing a full term. However, running a 90-day campaign is no easy task. With only the first half over, several TRS contestants, including KCR’s cabinet colleagues, are already facing rough weather in their constituencies (indeed, in some villages, people have even barred their entry).

KCR is not too worried by the protests, though he is aware there is dissatisfaction about the choice of candidates. He has appointed son K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) as the go-to man for squabbling partymen. KTR has a big task on his hands; he will have to bring dissent under control and ensure that the party machinery runs cohesively. For the party scion, this will also be first-hand experience in handling internal party strife.