In the recent Telangana elections, KCR and his party, BRS, faced a resounding defeat after two consecutive terms in power. The once-unassailable leader lost even in his stronghold, the Kamareddy constituency, a significant blow to his political legacy.
Here’s why KCR and his party got decimated.
1. Overconfidence and Anti-Incumbency:
– KCR’s crucial error was re-nominating over 90% of sitting MLAs, leading to severe anti-incumbency sentiments.
– The belief that voters would blindly support the party irrespective of candidate credentials proved to be a miscalculation.
2. MLA-Centric Governance and Arrogance:
– BRS’s governance model, centering on MLAs as powerful entities, backfired due to perceived favoritism and misuse of influence.
– Heavyweight ministers’ defeat signaled both mediocrity and voter repulsion towards perceived arrogance.
3. Corruption Allegations and Ignored Warnings:
– Despite early warnings and allegations of corruption against several MLAs, KCR retained most of them, sending a message of tolerance towards corruption.
– Corruption, Inaccessibility, and Arrogance (CIA) emerged as critical factors contributing to the electoral setback.
4. Communication Breakdown and National Ambitions:
– KCR’s detachment, labeled as the ‘farmhouse CM,’ hindered effective communication and feedback.
– The shift from TRS to BRS and pursuit of national ambitions diluted the party’s focus on local issues, intensifying anti-incumbency sentiments.
– The Telangana Rashtra Samithi aspired to evolve into the Bharat Rashtra Samithi but ultimately diminished into Hyderabad Rashtra Samithi. Of the party’s total of 39 seats, 18 are secured from the Hyderabad-Rangareddy region.
5. Unfulfilled Promises and Policy Failures:
– BRS’s failure to fulfill key promises, including housing for the poor and job creation, fueled voter dissatisfaction.
– Delayed implementation of farmers’ loan waivers and alleged corruption in welfare schemes contributed to the party’s poor performance.
6. Alienation of Youth and Opposition:
– Failure in job creation and mishandling of issues in universities sparked youth anger.
– Alienation of activists, mistreatment of RTC workers, and opposition from various groups added to the government’s unpopularity.
7. Perception of Increased Wealth for Leaders:
– Public perception that BRS leaders prioritized personal wealth over public welfare damaged the party’s reputation.
– Alleged leakages in flagship projects like Kaleswaram and Medigadda further fueled distrust.
8. Disregard for Democratic Values:
– Defections from other parties and a perceived disrespect for the public’s right to vote contributed to the image that BRS did not value democratic principles.
In conclusion, the downfall of the BRS can be attributed to what can be called CIA: Corruption, Inaccessibility, and Arrogance. The defeat in 2023 is seen as a consequence of KCR’s own actions. It’s not just the Congress; KCR seems to have defeated himself. Although he’s a resilient political fighter, as of now the ‘Chandra’ has been eclipsed.
