Telangana Crowns KCR King

TRS Supremo K. Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR)  has emerged triumphant from his September 6 experiment of dissolving the Telangana state assembly months ahead of its term. Analysts and observers doubted whether KCR’s gamble would work for him, but as it turned out he proved right in advancing the assembly elections for Telangana.

As things stand, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi is poised for a massive victory in the newest state in the country  with KCR set to lead it for a second term.

To his credit, the TRS supremo never doubted his party's chances at the hustings. He seemed confident in rally after election rally as he carpet-bombed Telangana with a series of poll meetings which drew massive attendance. As Nizamabad MP and his daughter Kalvakuntla Kavitha put it, the TRS victory was never in doubt.

KCR  led a high decibel campaign across the street from the front. He was ably assisted by his nephew, caretaker irrigation minister, T. Harish Rao, his son and caretaker IT minister, K. Tarakarama Rao (KTR), among others. While most exit polls predicted a clear victory for the TRS, the scale and magnitude of the win, as one can foresee from the emerging trends, was not expected.

Where did the opposition go wrong?

The Mahakutami or grand alliance, did not get its act together till the very end. In fact, it seemed trapped in a bubble of its own, assuming that Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi's presence would prove to be decisive. In fact, the extent of bravado on the part of Congress leaders was such that Uttam Kumar Reddy reportedly said that the timing of the swearing-in for the Congress chief ministerial candidate would soon be decided. Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu's support and his presence in the grand alliance hardly helped the cause of opposition, though he gave the Congress-led coalition the much-needed media coverage and resources.

Finally, it was KCR all the way. No matter what his opponents said, and their criticism such as the chief minister not attending the secretariat and working from his farmhouse, did not cut ice with the masses. It was clear that his campaign style worked and more than that, he drove home the point that his welfare schemes were successful. KCR repeatedly stressed on the positives in his government—24x7 power supply, free electricity to farmers, Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bheema and other welfare measures initiated by the TRS government at his election meetings.

In the end, the people of Telangana have crowned KCR king, as the election results prove.

Also Read: LIVE: Telangana Elections Results 2018 LIVE Updates, Constituency & Party Wise