For the opposition BRS, the local elections loom as a make-or-break moment, a test of its very survival after a string of electoral setbacks.
Published Jul 05, 2025 | 10:43 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 05, 2025 | 10:43 AM
KCR, Revanth Reddy, and Ramachander Rao. (X)
Synopsis: The local elections in Telangana are a high-stakes contest. For Congress, the key lies in bridging internal divides and amplifying its governance achievements to win voter trust. For BRS, a fundamental shift in leadership approach and a renewed focus on grassroots engagement are essential to reverse its downward spiral. While for the BJP, building a stronger organizational foundation while harnessing public goodwill will determine its ability to make inroads.
As Telangana gears up for local body elections in the next two to three months, a palpable tension has gripped the state’s political arena.
The Telangana High Court has mandated that panchayat elections be held by September, and with ongoing legal battles paving the way, elections for Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTC), Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTC), and municipal bodies are expected to follow suit.
The ruling Congress, alongside opposition forces Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), finds itself thrust into a crucible of opportunity and uncertainty. The air is thick with anticipation, as each party grapples with its own strengths and vulnerabilities.
A recent survey by People’s Pulse research organization, casts a revealing light on the intricate dynamics at play, painting a picture of a political battlefield where fortunes hang in a delicate balance.
The ruling Congress stands at a pivotal juncture as it prepares for the local elections, facing a moment that could either solidify its dominance or expose its fragilities. The party has already set the stage for a robust campaign, rallying its grassroots workers in a grand display of unity at LB Stadium.
There, under the guidance of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and General Secretary KC Venugopal, Congress sought to ignite the passion of its cadre, urging them to carry the party’s message to every corner of the state. For Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and TPCC chief B Mahesh Kumar Goud, the past 18 months of governance serve as the cornerstone of their appeal.
They point to a legacy of development and welfare, from farmer-friendly initiatives like fine rice distribution and loan waivers to bold promises of social justice, including a caste census and enhanced reservations for Backward Classes (BCs).
The party weaves a compelling narrative: despite alleged obstruction from the central government, which they claim has stalled the BC Bill and withheld aid, Congress has persevered in delivering welfare programs and pursuing investigations into the corruption of the previous BRS regime. This narrative of resilience and reform is meant to resonate deeply with voters, positioning Congress as a steadfast champion of the people.
Yet, beneath this confident exterior, cracks are beginning to show. Internal dissent simmers, with leaders overlooked for cabinet positions voicing their discontent.
Figures like MLA Anirudh Reddy and the influential Konda family have raised their concerns publicly, creating ripples of unease. District-level factionalism further complicates matters, with petty squabbles threatening to undermine the party’s cohesion.
Most strikingly, in the chief minister’s own district, Congress leaders have taken the extraordinary step of filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against their own government, a move that sends conflicting signals to voters.
For Congress to harness its governance record and campaign momentum, it must first navigate these turbulent waters, mending internal rifts and presenting a united front to a discerning electorate.
For the opposition BRS, the local elections loom as a make-or-break moment, a test of its very survival after a string of electoral setbacks.
The crushing defeat in the 2023 Assembly elections, followed by a complete rout in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and a controversial decision to abstain from the MLC elections for graduates and teachers, has left the party reeling.
The People’s Pulse survey offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting a modest recovery in districts like Medak, Warangal, Rangareddy, and Mahabubnagar. Yet, the path to translating this into votes is fraught with challenges, and the party’s leadership faces mounting criticism from within its own ranks.
At the heart of BRS’s struggles is a leadership that appears disconnected from its base. Party chief K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) has largely confined himself to his farmhouse, limiting his engagement with the cadre and fueling perceptions of detachment.
The working president, KT Rama Rao (KTR), is seen as ensnared by a coterie, distracted by competing priorities and overly reliant on social media over grassroots outreach.
Senior leaders like T Harish Rao, a formidable force with a strong hold over party workers, find themselves inexplicably confined to Siddipet and parts of the former Medak district. Similarly, MLC K Kavitha, a former MP from Nizamabad, was restricted to select segments during the 2023 elections, a decision that has sparked murmurs of discontent.
Party workers voice their frustration, with one citing a Stanford University study to argue that KTR’s obsession with social media must give way to “social engineering” to reconnect with estranged communities. They urge him to spend a few hours each week at the party office, listening to workers and rebuilding trust.
The rank-and-file’s grievances run deeper, with some leaders openly questioning the dynastic tendencies of the leadership. One senior figure remarked caustically that KTR behaves as if anointed a “youth prince,” expecting to lead without earning the loyalty of the cadre.
Without a clear campaign message or a renewed commitment to grassroots engagement, BRS risks further erosion of its base, making these elections a critical test of its ability to adapt and survive.
For the BJP, the local elections represent a golden opportunity to assert its growing influence in Telangana, particularly in the rural heartlands of northern districts like Adilabad, Nizamabad, and Karimnagar, where the People’s Pulse survey notes a surge in support.
Yet, the party’s ambitions are tempered by structural weaknesses that could undermine its progress. The BJP has been meticulous in appointing a state president rooted in its ideological core, but its reliance on “borrowed” leaders from other parties for electoral contests reveals a fragile grassroots network.
The defection of a third of its 2023 Assembly election candidates within months lays bare the party’s struggle to build a loyal cadre, a challenge that looms large in the context of local elections.
The new state president, Ramachandra Rao, steps into a delicate balancing act, tasked with unifying senior leaders like G Kishan Reddy, Bandi Sanjay, and Dr Laxman, whose competing influences could destabilize the party’s efforts.
The formation of the state executive committee will be a litmus test, with senior leaders vying for greater representation of their loyalists. Recent media advertisements congratulating Rao carry subtle hints of these internal tensions, suggesting that factionalism could rear its head if not carefully managed.
The BJP’s campaign hinges on its “BC Chief Minister” promise, a strategic move to counter the BC-focused narratives of Congress and BRS. Yet, its success will depend on its ability to present a cohesive front and capitalize on the public’s curiosity, with some voters expressing a willingness to “give them a chance.”
The party’s modest record of securing nine ZPTC seats in 2019 serves as a benchmark, but achieving a stronger showing will require robust grassroots campaigns and a unified leadership.
The local elections in Telangana are a high-stakes contest, with Congress, BRS, and BJP each navigating a complex interplay of opportunities and obstacles.
For Congress, the key lies in bridging internal divides and amplifying its governance achievements to win voter trust. For BRS, a fundamental shift in leadership approach and a renewed focus on grassroots engagement are essential to reverse its downward spiral. While for the BJP, building a stronger organizational foundation while harnessing public goodwill will determine its ability to make inroads.
In this tightly contested arena, one party’s misstep could become another’s advantage, making it imperative for each to minimize weaknesses and amplify strengths. As Telangana’s voters prepare to cast their ballots, the outcome of these elections will not only shape local governance but also chart the course of the state’s political future.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
