Getting Malkajgiri, Mahbubnagar is important for Revanth’s reputation
A Revanth Reddy’s reputation and leadership will be put to the test in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, which are the first since he assumed control of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) and became Telangana’s chief minister.
As the Congress formulates plans to win the most Lok Sabha seats possible in the state, Revanth’s assistance in helping the grand old party win two segments—Malkajgiri and Mahbubnagar—will be a matter of pride.
Given that the current chief minister has strong support in the constituency he represented in the 17th Lok Sabha, the party is hopeful that it would win the Malkajgiri seat.
Given that Revanth is from this community, the party is also quite hopeful of capturing the Mahbubnagar seat.
Despite the party’s apparent confidence in winning these two seats, the leadership is up against certain obstacles. The party has fielded Patnam Suneetha Mahender Reddy, the chairman of the Vikarabad Zilla Parishad, in Malkajgiri. Suneetha is little unknown to the general public, despite her notoriety in the political world. She is making an effort to change that, however, by regularly visiting the district, holding meetings, and engaging with residents from all throughout the section.
Not up to par in the seven assembly segments
Revanth won the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with a majority of over 10,000, despite the Congress failing to win a single seat in the Assembly segments that make up the Malkajgiri parliamentary constituency in the state elections of 2018: Medchal, Malkajgiri, Quthbullapur, Kukatpally, Uppal, LB Nagar, and Secunderabad Cantonment.
The current Assembly votes have left the situation unchanged, with the former party failing to win any of these seven segments. Nonetheless, the state may benefit from the Congress’s current hold on power.
Political analysts have noted that the candidates’ respective positions vary significantly. Sunitha does not have the same privileges as Revanth, who was seen as a firebrand leader in 2019 and who was given two opportunities by the electorate to demonstrate his abilities: first in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and then in the 2023 Assembly elections. This time, throughout their separate campaigns, the opposing parties have already raised the “non-local” problem.
The BJP candidate is a strong opponent
While the BRS nominated Ragidi Laxma Reddy, whom the party believes is a local, the BJP is nominating Eatala Rajender, a former minister who has the backing of people across the state.
It would be difficult for the TPCC head to handle the accusations that he has been ignoring the constituency for the last five years given the current circumstances. The Congress candidate has only made Revanth’s problems worse. Rajender and Laxma Reddy have clarified these concerns and urged the constituency not to vote for him.
The chief minister isn’t expected to participate in any significant campaigning in Malkajgiri, including road shows, open forums, or other public appearances. Leaders of the other parties have been holding events across the section in the meantime. It should be mentioned that in March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated on a roadshow and conducted BJP campaigning in the area. The Congress will have further hurdles as a result of the absence of canvassing, in addition to the fact that the old party is losing support in certain areas.
A barrier to Mission 15 is groupism
Things are still unstable in Mahbubnagar, Revanth’s native town. It should be mentioned that Kodangal, which is part of the Mahbubnagar Lok Sabha constituency, is represented in the Assembly by the chief minister. As the leader of the state government and the president of the grand old party’s Telangana branch, this places additional strain on Revanth.
According to reports, factions have formed, with a few incumbent MLAs and the party’s candidate, Ch Vamsi Chand Reddy, on one side. The party’s hopes of winning 15 state seats might be impacted by the internal factionalism.
However, the BJP has put up a formidable contender in DK Aruna, who finished second in the last election behind the TRS (now BRS) nominee.
In addition to her family’s political background, the BJP vice-president has already started an active campaign and plans to use her networks and the relationships she built while serving as a minister in Andhra Pradesh’s undivided state to win the seat.
Furthermore, the grand old party is reeling from Revanth’s remarks at a recent gathering in Kodangal that Aruna was attempting to discredit him by citing splits in the Mahbubnagar section. Discussions on this have also sparked throughout the segment.
Pressure on candidates and high officials
Opponents are gathering strength in Mahbubnagar and Malkajgiri, but the Congress, led by the TPCC head, has not launched a significant campaign. Candidates and top party officials entrusted with managing the campaigns are under a great deal of strain as a result of this inaction.
In order to win a majority in all segments, Revanth plans to cover a large portion of the state. He has declared the elections to be a referendum on the 100-day reign of his administration. But a common problem for many leaders is finding ways to strengthen different constituents’ vulnerabilities and mobilize support.
Securing at least 12 to 14 seats in each of the Lok Sabha’s constituency is still the key goal. Reviving the party’s relationship with the public and giving candidates confidence are critical tasks that lie ahead, and they provide a significant challenge for top officials.
