The ‘Boseraju formula’ that everyone in Congress wants in poll-bound Telangana

Related: Not an MLC or an MLA, but NS Boseraju is a minister

What is the ‘Boseraju formula’?

The “Boseraju formula” started off as a “show and tell” by central leaders of the Congress to convince second-rung leaders in Telangana that loyalty will be rewarded.

It has, however, now turned into a priority demand of leaders who feel left out, are dissenting, threatening to rebel, or simply seeking a better bargain by joining the Congress ahead of the Assembly elections.

The term is a reference to how NS Boseraju, a senior leader of Congress and AICC secretary for Telangana previously, was directly inducted into the Siddaramaiah Cabinet in May this year.

Boseraju — who was neither an MLC nor an MLA — came as a surprise induction into the Cabinet, handpicked by AICC leaders.

The ministerial berth to Boseraju, who was not a legislator and yet became a minister directly, was seen as reward for his work during the elections, his loyalty to the party, and his past stints as party functionary.

It was only in June, almost a month after he became a minister, that Boseraju was elected as an MLC — a member of Karnataka’s Upper House, the Legislative Council.

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First minister, then legislator: The Boseraju formula

In an attempt to quell dissent and rebellion by multiple aspirants and leaders who felt ignored during the candidate selection, Boseraju was presented as an example of what Congress can do to reward loyalty.

While the central leadership of Congress, including its General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal, meant to show Boseraju as an example of party rewarding loyalty, it seems several leaders in Telangana — including those shifting from other parties to the Congress — have taken it quite literally.

“We managed to convince several rebel candidates to withdraw. Some were adamant on posts and appointments in boards and corporations. Others were happy with assurance of Lok Sabha election tickets; but a few leaders insisted on the ‘Boseraju formula’ and nothing less,” an AICC leader appointed to oversea elections in Telangana told South First.

It seems the “Boseraju formula” is so rampant in Congress’ lingo these days that even new entrants to the party — the likes of Vijayashanti, who quit the BJP to rejoin the grand old party — hope to become ministers if the Congress comes to power — and later become legislators.

Telangana’s bicameral structure is giving hope to several leaders who have lost out on tickets or are being inducted into the Congress from other parties with big promises.

Boseraju’s track record

While everyone wants a “Boseraju formula”, not many seem to have the same track record as the senior Congressman who inspired the catchphrase.

Elected twice from Karnataka’s Manvi Assembly seat in the past, NS Boseraju hails from Bhimavaram town in Andhra Pradesh.

He has previously served as AICC secretary for Telangana and has seen the lowest of the party’s fortunes in the State. Boseraju is also credited with revitalising Karnataka Congress in his home turf of Raichur, bordering Telangana.