14 November,2023 04:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Telangana BJP chief Kishan Reddy. Pic/PTI
Gearing up for the upcoming polls in Telangana, state BJP chief G Kishan Reddy expressed confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will secure a comfortable majority, dispelling any notion of a hung assembly. In an exclusive interview with news agency PTI, Reddy, who also serves as the Union Minister for Tourism, cited "simmering anger" against the ruling BRS in Telangana, asserting that the BJP will form its first government in the state after the November 30 elections.
Predicting no hung assembly, Reddy emphasized that the saffron party is poised to secure a ruling majority comfortably. He stated, "There is no question of a hung assembly because there is simmering anger against the BRS government. It will explode like a volcano. People are not coming out because of the fear of police and goons."
Reddy highlighted the prevalent sentiment among the people for change, citing dissatisfaction with both the BRS and Congress. He claimed that the BJP is the only party capable of bringing the desired change, emphasizing that even if Congress were to win, there is a perception that some of its MLAs might align with the BRS.
Contrary to Reddy's optimism, political analyst S Nagesh Kumar expressed skepticism, suggesting that the BJP lost momentum in Telangana after setbacks in the Karnataka assembly polls. He remarked, "To say that the party is getting stronger and coming to power is a bit far-fetched. Besides, the surveys also do not indicate a positive (for BJP)."
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Reddy defended the party's stance, noting that both the Congress and the BRS governments failed to meet the aspirations of the people. He claimed that various segments of the population, including farmers, women, students, and government employees, are disillusioned with the present dispensation, and the BJP is the only party addressing their concerns.
Also read: Rahul Gandhi confident that Congress will secure around 150 seats in Madhya Pradesh
Responding to Congress's accusation that the BRS is a "B Team" of BJP, Reddy dismissed it as "pot calling the kettle black," highlighting past coalitions and power-sharing arrangements between opposition parties. Addressing the departure of some BJP leaders before the polls, Reddy asserted that the party remains cadre-based and ideology-driven.
In an attempt to appeal to Backward Communities, Reddy affirmed the BJP's commitment to making a Backward Community leader the Chief Minister of Telangana. He noted that the party has urged the central leadership to ensure Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses four rallies in the state ahead of the polls. The BJP is eagerly awaiting the central leadership's response to this request. (With inputs from PTI)