TRS loss is BJP's gain: Hubris, arrogance, disconnect did ruling party in
Telangana Rashtriya Samithi, which had swept 2016 GHMC polls by winning 99 seats, has been reduced to 55 seats in 2020. While Bharatiya Janta Party, which had won only 4 seats, emerged victorious in 48 divisions.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 5 Dec 2020 7:55 AM GMT
By Ashok Reddy Mekala
Hyderabad: Telangana Rashtriya Samithi, which had swept 2016 GHMC polls by winning 99 seats, has been reduced to 55 seats in 2020. While Bharatiya Janta Party, which had won only 4 seats, emerged victorious in 48 divisions.
The numbers indicate how the BJP eats into TRS' vote share.
From mishandling COVID to floods, several reasons led to the drop in TRS' vote share in Hyderabad.
However, it is not flooding alone that led to the defeat of TRS. It's the leaders' approach towards the flood-affected people that defeated the party in those areas.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao was not visible during the flood relief measures. Neither did he step out when the city was battered by floods.
Second, it is the lack of proper assurance to the affected people from the top brass. Many officials including the previously elected corporators and legislators were inaccessible to people. For instance Uppal TRS MLA B Subhash Reddy was bashed for not attending to complaints
Also, irresponsible response by a few leaders like Minister T Srinivas Yadhav about floods irked public.
Most importantly, mishandling in the distribution of Rs 10k assistance also played its part. Initially, the help was distributed by the officials at the doorsteps of affected people. It was soon scarped. Later people were asked to stand in the queue and apply for assistance. The huge lines and lack of communication made things even worse.
One can clearly see why the TRS lost all the flood-affected divisions.
BJP swept flood-affected divisions in the polls.
Champapet - 9008
Kacheguda 7989
Hayatnagar - 7139
Kurmaguda - 6122
Ziaguda - 5891
Chaitanyapuri - 5459
Mansoorabad - 5418
Jeedimetla 4,806
Gaddi Annaram - 4602
Langar house 3618
RK Puram - 3930
Nagole - 3246
Saroor Nagar - 3318
Lingogiguda - 2811
Mylardevarapally - 1948
Habsiguda - 1447
Vanasthalipuram - 702
Ramanthapur - 655
Hasthinapuram - 279
Congress won two flood-affected Divisions majority
Uppal - 5912
As Rao Nagar - 4397
Yes, the floods really submerged TRS prospects in 20 divisions.
KCR missing in action
KCR always strikes a chord with the people of Telangana with regular press meets which take his message directly to the people.
People always felt KCR as their own and looked towards him whenever there used to be a problem.
This direct connection with his people was mysteriously missed after a few weeks. People felt emotionally disconnected from their Chief Minister.
This gap only widened during the floods. As a result, people started listening to opposition leaders.
The author is a political observer.
Views are personal
