Breaking News
1. Partner of Russian woman found in Karnataka's Gokarna speaks out: ‘Didn’t know Nina Kutina, kids were living in cave'      2. US Designates Group Behind Pahalgam Attack 'Foreign Terrorist Organisation'      3. Air India flight 171 crash: AAIB rubbishes ‘premature, unverified’ US report on cockpit audio, urges ‘sensitivity’      4. India warns against ‘double standards’ over Russian oil      5. Government merges 36 schemes to float farm programme      6. IndiGo Flight To Goa Diverted To Mumbai After Mid-Air Engine Trouble      7. Trump admin calls for calm as Israel strikes Syria amid Druze–Bedouin clashes: ‘We’re very concerned about it’      8. Trump says US 'very close' to trade deal with India, negotiations underway      9. Air India crash probe focuses on actions of plane's captain, Wall Street Journal reports      10. US asks India to cut duty on agri imports by 35%      11. Trump says Indonesian goods to face 19% tariff under trade deal, no tax on US exports      12. SCO shouldn’t compromise on terrorism: Jaishankar      13. Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission validates India’s astronaut selection & training: Former IAM chief      14. ‘Willing to work with India’: China foreign minister at SCO meet in Beijing; echoes Jaishankar's points      15. Controversial Bihar Voter List Overhaul To Drop 35.5 Lakh Names, So Far      16. Trump threatens Russia with tariffs if Ukraine war is not resolved in 50 days      17. Balasore sexual harassment case: Student succumbs to injuries after self-immolation; Odisha CM expresses grief      18. Delhi University student's body found in Yamuna, 6 days after disappearance      19. After Bihar, EC writes to remaining states to prepare for intensive roll revision, qualifying date set      20. 'Law and order concerns': Internet, SMS services suspended in Haryana's Nuh for 24 hours; authorities cite risk of misinformation, unrest     

Congress Party's Battle for Telangana Elections 2023: Strengths, Weaknesses, and More

  • Posted on October 13, 2023
  • Politics
  • By Arijit Dutta
  • 423 Views

In Telangana, the Congress party is embarking on an arduous journey to regain political supremacy, facing an uphill battle since losing power to the BRS (formerly TRS) in 2014, even though it spearheaded the creation of a separate Telangana state. The Congress party, beleaguered by the defeat in 2014, witnessed the exodus of prominent leaders, leaving it in a state of disarray. However, the appointment of A Revanth Reddy as TPCC president and MP in July 2021 reignited hope within the party despite a string of electoral setbacks in by-polls and Hyderabad civic body elections over the past three years.

Congress Party's Battle for Telangana Elections 2023: Strengths, Weaknesses, and More Image Source -www.moneycontrol.com

In Telangana, the Congress party is embarking on an arduous journey to regain political supremacy, facing an uphill battle since losing power to the BRS (formerly TRS) in 2014, even though it spearheaded the creation of a separate Telangana state. The Congress party, beleaguered by the defeat in 2014, witnessed the exodus of prominent leaders, leaving it in a state of disarray. However, the appointment of A Revanth Reddy as TPCC president and MP in July 2021 reignited hope within the party despite a string of electoral setbacks in by-polls and Hyderabad civic body elections over the past three years.

The recent victory of the Congress in the Karnataka assembly polls and the nationwide Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi have infused fresh energy into the party, galvanizing both the cadre and the leadership in preparation for the November 30 elections.

Let's delve into a SWOT analysis of the Congress party:

Strengths:

  • Congress played a pivotal role in the creation of the Telangana state during its rule at the Centre.
  • General sympathy due to the party's consecutive losses in 2014 and 2018, despite granting statehood to Telangana.
  • Growing anti-incumbency sentiment against the long-standing BRS party.
  • Attractive poll promises akin to those successfully implemented in neighboring Karnataka.
  • A robust grassroots-level cadre.
  • The party's reputation as a secular entity.
  • Early commencement of candidate selection, giving them a head start.
  • Padayatra (foot march) by senior leaders to reconnect with the grassroots.

Weaknesses:

  • Persistent internal dissent and public criticism of party leaders.
  • Trailing behind BRS and BJP in political acumen.
  • The loss of several significant leaders over time.

Also Read: American Lives At Stake: U.S. Grapples With Uncertainty Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict

Opportunities:

  • A decade-long anti-incumbency wave against the ruling BRS.
  • The ability to capitalize on allegations against Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter, K Kavitha, in the Delhi Excise Police scam case.
  • Highlighting flaws in the Dharani government land management portal during the campaign.
  • Advocating for popular guarantees, such as free RTC bus travel for women.

Threats:

  • The silent campaign by R S Praveen Kumar, a former IPS officer from the BSP, could erode Congress's traditional SC and ST vote base.
  • The potential influence of AIMIM in deterring Muslim voters from supporting Congress.

In the forthcoming election, the Congress party strives to leverage its strengths and seize the opportunities presented by anti-incumbency and pressing issues while working to address its internal weaknesses and counter the threats that loom on the political horizon.

 

Author
No Image
Author
Arijit Dutta

You May Also Like