It's a slip between cup and lip for Cong
Hyderabad: The Congress is reconciled to the fact that it would draw a blank in Seemandhra, post-bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. But what it did not prepare for, was the possible loss in Telangana too.
Contrary to its expectations, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) seems to have walked away with all the credit for the creation of the Telangana State.
Though the Congress may not fare as badly in Telangana as it almost will in Seemandhra, it is doubtful if it would get the numbers to form the government.
Telangana Congress chief Ponnala Lakshmaiah's statement that 20 prospective TRS MLAs are in touch with him betrays lack of confidence.
This apart, the party is also in touch with the MIM and independents, which gives the impression that it may not be in a good position by the evening of May 16.
After the Congress high command took the decision to divide the State on July 30 last year, Telangana Congress leaders couldn't manage to claim credit for fulfilling the popular demand.
Party general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad was forced to tell them the blunt truth: "We have decided to divide the State so that there is no threat of Jagan sweeping the polls. We have confined him to Seemandhra. But you people could not grab the opportunity."
In hindsight, it's clear that the T Congress leaders were complacent, comfortable in the belief that the TRS would merge with the party.
"It is surprising no Congress leader ever though as to why TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao will merge his party with the Congress and help a Congress leader be the first CM of Telangana," said a TRS insider.
When KCR ruled out merger and even alliance too, the scales fell off the Congress eyes but by then, the damage had been done, the full scale of which will be known on May 16.
News Posted: 11 May, 2014
|
