Does Jagan's victory pave way for Telangana?

HYDERABAD: After the drubbing the Congress received in the recent byelections in Telangana, the party leaders in the region have given up hopes of retrieving the lost ground in the near future unless a miracle happens.

The party leaders including MPs and MLAs, who met here recently were worried about their future since the party's base was eroding fast in the region as the Centre continues to drag its feet on making any categorical announcement on Telangana state.

The Congress wipeout in six seats in Telangana has set demoralisation among the party cadre.

According to one MP, the party will deliver Telangana only if it is convinced that there is no future for it in coastal Andhra where YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is making rapid strides now.

Telangana leaders were eagerly waiting for the outcome of the by elections in 18 assembly seats as they hold the key for Telangana.

'If the party also loses maximum number of seats like it did in Telangana region in the by-elections, the Congress leadership in Delhi might think of protecting the party in Telangana region at least.

The party is thinking of doing something about Telangana but before it does, it wants to ensure that the party has nothing to lose in coastal Andhra even if it divides the state,' another MP said.

According to Telangana Congress leaders, byelections to 17 of the 18 seats have become crucial and hence the party's insistence on a better performance. 'The Centre is keenly watching how Jagan will perform in the byelections,' the MP said.

Meanwhile TDP Telangana legislators expect that Jagan would win most of the seats which indicates that the people in coastal Andhra were not averse to bifurcation of the state.

Already, a campaign is on in coastal districts that vote to Jagan would mean a vote for division of the state. Minister TG Venkatesh and MP Lagadapati Rajagopal have begun saying that Jagan symbolised division of the state and therefore should be defeated.

'If Jagan wins the elections, the Centre might consider delivering Telangana in the hope of winning the hearts of the people in Telangana as well as in Andhra region,' one TDP leader said.

The Congress would take enough care to ensure the merger of the TRS before announcing formation of new state. 'Already there are rumours that KCR had offered to merge his party with the Congress in turn for creation of a Telangana state.

If Jagan wins the by-elections in coastal Andhra, the process of Telanagana formation might speed up,' another TDP leader explained.