Will KCR woo MIM?
Intense campaigning by various political parties in Telangana came to an end on Monday, but not without it throwing up some interesting questions. The campaigning saw mud slinging, name calling, blame game and the like with leaders not leaving any opportunity to question each others credentials.
The main war of words, however, erupted between Congress and TRS leaders, with KCR training his guns on all Congress, TDP leaders and BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.
However, he chose to keep mum on one party, MIM. During his electioneering in the city or entire Telangana, he was not seen making a single comment against MIM.
Many opine that this deliberate exclusion of MIM is KCR's strategy. Although TRS is expected to become the single largest party in Telangana, it may fall short of magic number, 60 that is required to form the Government. MIM, with its headquarters in capital Hyderabad, on the other hand, can help TRS to form the government. MIM previouly a Congress ally, left the party during Kiran Kumar Reddy's government.
KCR's constant singling out of Modi, has also given credence to these rumours.
Analysts feel that KCR's promises of giving 12 % reservation for minorities, and the promise of making making someone from the minority, deputy CM, are means to get close to MIM.
Interestingly, after coming down hard on Congress initially, KCR did not respond to Congress chief Sonia and vice president Rahul Gandhi's 'betrayer' and 'opportunist' taunts. Is it possible that the politician may be looking at courting again, to form the government?
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