The more than 9-year tenure of K Chandrasekhar Rao in Telangana has reached its conclusion, marking the end of his aspirations for an immediate national role.
The people of Telangana have chosen to oust the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and entrust power to the Congress, a decade after the grand old party played a pivotal role in the formation of the state.
Accepting defeat, the BRS expressed disappointment but not sadness over the verdict.
KTR Rao, BRS leader and son of KCR, conveyed gratitude to the people for two consecutive terms in government.
He acknowledged the unexpected nature of the results and emphasized the party's commitment to learning from this experience and bouncing back. He also extended congratulations to the Congress on its victory.
As KCR's party reflects on the reasons for its defeat, one aspect under scrutiny is KCR's ambition to go national, coupled with the renaming of his party.
In October 2022, KCR rebranded the party from Telangana Rashtra Samithi to Bharat Rashtra Samithi, aiming for a "BJP-mukt Bharat."
He engaged with leaders of non-BJP non-Congress parties but later abandoned efforts to unite the opposition, citing objections to a solely anti-Modi agenda.
The BRS distanced itself from the opposition bloc INDIA and faced speculations of aligning with the BJP for the Lok Sabha elections, a move that may have impacted its electoral prospects.
Another significant factor contributing to the BRS's defeat is anti-incumbency, directed towards the party, the chief minister, and sitting MLAs. KCR had nominated most of the sitting MLAs for the elections.
The Congress capitalized on allegations of corruption and family rule, framing the electoral contest as a battle between KCR's family and the rest of society, including unemployed youth, farmers, and women.
Accusations of farmer suicides, TSPSC paper leaks, and land acquisition for industrialist friends further fueled the anti-incumbency sentiment.
State Congress chief Revanth Reddy attributed the party's victory to Telangana martyrs and expressed the responsibility to fulfill the aspirations of the people after forming the government.
He emphasized that the election outcome was a clear mandate for change and a defeat for KCR.
