BRS party to face major challenges ahead
Its future in AP politics will depend on what impact it would have in Karnataka where it is likely to join hands with the JD (S)
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Hyderabad: Taking its first step for expansion outside Telangana, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) formed its unit in Andhra Pradesh and was able to make a good beginning by attracting a couple of big names.
Political observers say while BRS president and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao succeeded in creating a buzz in the neighbouring State, it would be too early to say what impact BRS would have on the State's politics which is currently dominated by ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP). BRS made a beginning in the other Telugu state with former minister Ravela Kishore Babu, former IAS officer Thota Chandrasekhar and former IRS officer Chintala Partha Sarathi along with some others from Andhra Pradesh joining the party. KCR appointed Thota Chandrasekhar as the State unit president.
While the BRS, considering its rich sources, may not find it difficult to attract few leaders and undertake some activity on the ground, its future Andhra Pradesh politics will depend on what impact it would have in Karnataka where it is likely to join hands with the Janata Dal (Secular) and also the outcome of Assembly elections in Telangana scheduled towards the end of 2023.
"Politics in Andhra Pradesh is highly polarized between two groups. The group led by Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy has a strong focus on welfare because of which even TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu is forced to talk of welfare. The entire model BRS is talking about is 'Ab ki baar kisan sarkar' which boils down to welfare. There is no novelty in what BRS is saying currently," said political analyst Palwai Raghavendra Reddy.
The first test for BRS, according to analysts, is going to happen in Karnataka. As it is almost clear that JD (S) leader HD Kumaraswamy is in line with the thought of BRS, it will be interesting to see what BRS will do in Karnataka. "Whatever may be the outcome in Karnataka, how much credit HD Kumaraswamy gives to KCR will be important. There are many factors we have to wait and see before we move to Andhra Pradesh. In the name of BRS what the party achieves in Telangana and other factors will be tested in Andhra Pradesh situation," believes the analyst.
"BRS is a resource-rich party. Any political party with resources will be able to create momentum on ground. People will show interest in joining or moving around with that flag. It has resources and it will have traction. So there will be some action on the ground," feels another observer.
Many observers are unanimous in their view that at this stage it is difficult to predict if BRS wins any seat in Andhra Pradesh. BRS will have some advantages in Andhra Pradesh like Telugu language, common history and a good understanding of the State politics. "But on the contrary, a large section of people might be upset with KCR as even after so many years they don't have a capital and there is no direction in which they are heading in future. Whether they will accept him is a question which only time can answer," Raghavendra Reddy said.
