A fantasy tale about A Revanth Reddy’s impending downfall is now circulating in Telangana’s political circles.
Published Mar 03, 2025 | 6:26 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 03, 2025 | 7:56 PM
Left to right: Kishan Reddy, KCR, Revanth Reddy. (X)
Synopsis: Rumour mills working overtime is not new in politics. Rumours pedal different narratives, such as the imminent fall of those in power or their ill-health, and are often pushed for public consumption as well as to create confusion among party ranks, besides catering to the fantasies of leaders. The earlier KCR regime had its share of rumours. Of late, several ‘theories’ are making the rounds. A look into the rumours that are in circulation.
Dreams and fantasies are double-edged swords. Besides boosting courage and self-confidence, they intoxicate, leaving one in delusion and self-deception.
An irreparable real-world defeat could be overcome only by holding on to some illusion. Otherwise, the mental stress will be overwhelming.
When the Telangana state and KCR government were formed, despair gripped some forces that could not digest the victory of the Telangana agitation. They started consoling themselves with some wishful thinking and imagination. They claimed that corporates were apprehensive about investing in Telangana, and all investors from Andhra Pradesh would leave the state and put their money elsewhere. They joyously mourned that Telangana was heading toward darkness. It was obvious that these were rooted in frustration.
While they could not reverse the formation of the state, they thought K Chandrashekar Rao could be defeated, step down, or fall.
Contrary to their expectations, the Telangana society was in celebration. The opposition to KCR had not then gathered strength. Elections were not imminent.
Until then, some conspirators pondered how to bear this humiliation. They set their dreams in motion. They created a reasonable illusion to satisfy their inner-self, suggesting that KCR had severe health problems, that he was undergoing some secret treatment, and that no one knew how long it would last.
They spread these doubts through whispers and subtle hints in the media and on social media and promoted them as the truth.
But after all these dreams, KCR won the elections again in 2018. The health issue — well, 10 years have passed, and KCR is still going strong.
Political beings can become restless between elections, a period with no major events or sensational moments. Something has to happen. There has to be some action. This is especially problematic for the defeated ones.
How can governments change only through elections? Isn’t it an injustice? By the time this happens, the new party in power might have already gained popularity, and the defeated organisation would be desperately seeking a quick public backlash.
However, opportunities to prove such claims don’t come too quickly. Therefore, they wish for some unexpected developments to upend the situation. The dream factory must work — there is no alternative.
Such a fantasy is now circulating in Telangana’s political circles. It is about A Revanth Reddy’s impending downfall.
However, this is not as absurd as the idea of KCR’s health problems. But it’s not entirely without its share of absurdity. It is not a story without a head or tail either. Still, it is an overall narrative.
This illusion has been spread, or believed, not just by the opposition BRS but by many in the Congress as well. Though a section in the Congress doesn’t actively promote it, they are also listening to these rumours. They consider themselves neutral but believe that anything is possible.
The BJP, on the other hand, is quietly observing this situation, as if it is wondering how a conspiracy happens without its hand in it.
However, these fantasies and imaginations are not innocent self-satisfaction methods. They circulate as rumours and turn into weapons. They play mind games with opponents.
Revanth Reddy and the Telangana Congress said a year ago that almost all BRS members would cross the floor and join them. It raised many speculations about whether it would happen or not because, except for KCR and four or five other names, some believed that almost all others could be lured into shifting loyalties. Incidentally, KCR has only himself to blame for such a situation in the party.
However, the BRS overcame the crisis and is still present with significant strength. The party can play a political game to trouble the government while also spreading unfounded stories.
Most stories are about Revanth Reddy’s fall, and they come from the BRS ranks.
However, these stories have a problem. How will Revanth Reddy fall? In Congress, for anyone to take a significant chunk of power players along (like Eknath Shinde did in Maharashtra), they would have to bring in a group of loyalists. Will the BRS support such a defector?
In the Congress legislative party, there are three or four key leaders or ministers who have a team of loyal MLAs. Who among them would rebel? If 20 or more rise in rebellion, will BRS and BJP together form a majority? Will the BJP support such a plan? Will the BJP ever support any strategy that brings BRS back to life?
The story that ‘Revanth Reddy would fall’ appears sensational, but considering the associated problems, it appears more of an illusion.
Ministers N Uttam Kumar Reddy, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, and D Sridhar Babu are Congress loyalists. Komatireddy Venkata Reddy, though a Congress leader, has had cordial relations with the former BRS government and has known the BJP through his brother. He is known to approach political opportunities with a realistic viewpoint.
The remaining figure is Pongulati Srinivas Reddy, powerful enough to put pressure, However, it seems unlikely he would take any major political risks. The news that 10 MLAs held a meeting against him seems to have disturbed him. People attribute his ongoing US visit to the controversy.
Along with the internal struggles in Telangana’s Congress unit, the BRS ranks say that Revanth Reddy has problems with the top leadership. There were reports that Rahul Gandhi is dissatisfied with Revanth Reddy’s performance.
Although Revanth could meet the Prime Minister easily, it is hard for him to meet Rahul Gandhi. Some speculated that the appointment of Meenakshi Natarajan as a party observer, replacing Deepa Dasmunsi, was to step up surveillance on Revanth.
The counter-narrative suggests that Rahul Gandhi still has confidence in Revanth, who undoubtedly has more influence than anyone else in the Telangana Congress. It is heard that the appointment of Natarajan was due to accusations against Dasmunsi.
The BJP does not seem to be playing any role, possibly due to two or three reasons. One, Amit Shah may have a special strategy to bring Telangana into the party fold with the BJP’s state unit having little role to play. The BJP doesn’t intend to form a government in Telangana by sacking Revanth Reddy, encouraging defections, or bringing him to their side.
Two, if BRS and Congress continue to blame each other and ruin their reputations, the BJP believes it will work to its advantage. Three, there are too many problems within the Telangana BJP to play a constructive role. Its inability to appoint a Telangana unit chief reflects the party’s state of affairs.
It is unclear whether Revanth Reddy had any particular intentions when he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi.
Similarly, it’s unclear what message KT Rama Rao is trying to send by repeatedly meeting with central ministers to complain about the state government. Strangely, they both propagate the idea that the other is close to the BJP. How is it possible for someone to hold a Congress leadership position, remain close to the Congress head, and be too friendly with the BJP high command?
Similarly, will KCR or KT Rama Rao ever consider a partnership with the BJP when they both know that such a move could amount to political suicide? Yet, there is a strong narrative that the BRS and the BJP will work together in the future. The question is, why would the BJP, which wants to occupy the BRS’s space, give room to the same party?
However, in stagnant politics, such illusions and dreams are the only solace for political activists and pastimes for the public. Unless a major split happens in Congress with a faction joining BRS, the Telangana government is unlikely to face instability. If the impending Supreme Court verdict leads to by-elections, it may provide a realistic glimpse into the state of things. But as it stands, the current situation appears status quo and stable, and everyone will play a safe game.
In this case, only superficial skirmishes will occur.
(The writer is a senior journalist and served as the Editor of Andhra Jyothi, a leading Telugu daily).
