The uncertainty in choosing the next president of the Telangana BJP is leading to widening of already existing deep rooted internal factionalism. Though the party went to 2023 Assembly poll with BC Chief Minister slogan, the BCs are discontented with the raw deal from the party leadership from then.
Already existing BC state chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar was abruptly removed and he was replaced with union minister G Kishan Reddy. Since then he has been continuing in the union cabinet and also leading the party in the state. Moreover, both the legislature party leader and also the party leader in the legislative council are from Reddys.
At a time, the Chief Minister is making strategic moves through BC caste census and SC classification to strengthen the party’s grip over those communities and the prevailing political environment suggesting improving BRS prospects in the state, now BJP leadership is said to be forced to give BCs party leadership in the state for its own political relevance.
Though Dr K Lakshman was elevated as BC Morcha national president, parliamentary board member and also sent to the Rajya Sabha, his presence hardly felt by the party in the state. As a result, the party leadership has recognized the need to identify a BC leader, who can mobilize masses needed to head the party in the state.
The BJP is also planning to extend the alliance it has successfully built in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. The alliance that succeeded in AP is also thinking about implementing it in Telangana. Moreover, the BJP is making moves to begin its ambitious reaching out South from Telangana.
The party leadership, which feels that it has a grip on Telangana after winning an unprecedented eight seats in the parliamentary elections, is acting cautiously regarding the party state president. Delhi sources say that key changes are being made in the party along with the president. The party has identified a lack of coordination among leaders in several districts.
Last week when Kishan Reddy met Amit Shah and JP Nadda with the newly elected two MLCs and party MPs from the state, both of them expressed anger over prevailing factionalism in the state party and absence of coordinated efforts. Few months ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed the same view when party MPs and MLAs from the state met him.
With this, it has been decided to assign the responsibility of the party president to a leader who can take everyone forward. The name of MP Etala Rajender from the Mudiraj community is said to be almost finalised and likely to be announced during this week. However,unexpectedly, the names of Muralidhar Rao and DK Aruna have also come to the fore.