The fierce three-pronged battle between the TRS, BJP and Congress to win the Munugode poll has become a virtual semi-final ahead of next year’s assembly elections. The surprise resignation of Congressman Komatireddy Raj Gopal Reddy in August and his defection to the BJP necessitated the poll, scheduled for November 3.
The stakes were raised by a spirited attempt by all sides to court Reddy’s vote which had shown signs of transition from Congress to the TRS. Congress also holds the Lok Sabha seat where Munugode falls, but the party is hampered by its weakening base in the state. The departure of Raj Gopal, who has deep pockets and has long been the legislature of the constituency, coupled with the seemingly limitless resources that appear to be at the disposal of the TRS and BJP, have made the race high-tension.
Unsurprisingly, cash, liquor and other incentives are flowing freely into the area with the Electoral Commission unable to do much. The Telangana police case against three people for allegedly trying to lure TRS lawmakers into the BJP suggests that next year will see several desertions and drama between parties.
The defection of TRS rebels and prominent Congressional leaders helped the BJP by being able to display a credible array of second-rate leaders. For Congress, which has almost given up opposition space to the BJP, a defeat at Munugode could accelerate the exodus of cadres and leaders.
But what the BJP might really need now is a leader who can take on the role of direct challenger to K Chandrashekar Rao who enjoys a formidable reputation as a prominent leader of the Telangana state movement.
Read also: Telangana – Bettors bet big on Munugode poll, Rs 1,000 crore up for grabs
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