The Congress party in Telangana is facing serious challenges in maintaining unity and focus. Internal conflicts, public mistakes by its leaders, and unclear strategies are creating a perception of disorder within the party. This has raised questions about its ability to present a strong opposition in the state.
One of the major issues is the Congress’s approach to central government schemes. By getting involved in controversies over these schemes and focusing heavily on criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the party may be playing into the BJP’s narrative. For instance, debates have erupted over the naming of welfare programs. The BJP insists that schemes like housing and free rice, funded by the Centre, must retain Modi’s name or photo, while Congress argues that its contributions to the country, especially during the Independence movement, deserve recognition.
The BJP accuses the state government of presenting central welfare schemes as its own initiatives, downplaying the Centre’s role. While the BJP focuses on winning over moderate voters and economically weaker sections, Congress’s aggressive stance might alienate these groups. This strategy could backfire, especially as Congress leaders seem overly eager to impress the party’s high command in New Delhi, sometimes at the cost of Telangana’s interests.
This behavior has created confusion among voters and weakened the party’s credibility. It has also left Congress vulnerable to attacks from both the BJP and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). Telangana Congress chief A Revanth Reddy faces a delicate situation. While he shares the party’s criticism of Modi and the BJP, he has maintained cooperative relations with the Union government on governance matters. However, contradictory statements and chaotic actions by other Congress leaders could strain his leadership.
Reports suggest increasing discord among Congress leaders in Telangana. Many seem more focused on gaining favor with the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) than working together on state-level strategies. Even after a year in power, some leaders struggle to manage their responsibilities, raising doubts about the party’s administrative capabilities.
The upcoming local body and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections will be a critical test for the Congress in Telangana. A strong performance in these elections could boost its morale and standing in the state. On the other hand, a poor showing would demoralize party workers and give its rivals, the BJP and BRS, more reasons to question the Congress’s relevance.
If the Congress fails in these elections, it could lose voter confidence and deepen internal divisions. This would further strengthen the BJP and BRS, leaving the Congress in a weakened position in Telangana’s political landscape.
To overcome these challenges, the Congress needs to rethink its strategies. The party must focus on grassroots organization, create a united narrative, and work on effective governance. Disciplined leadership and meaningful engagement with voters are key to reclaiming its political footing in Telangana. Without these changes, the Congress risks losing further ground in the state.
