This story is from December 5, 2020

Hyderabad: Alarm bells for TRS, mistakes proved costly, say analysts

The outcome of the GHMC polls has set alarm bells ringing for the TRS. Five years ago, people gave a thumping majority to the pink party with 99 of 150 seats in the civic body and about 14 seats of 24 assembly seats in 2018 assembly elections.
Hyderabad: Alarm bells for TRS, mistakes proved costly, say analysts
TRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao
HYDERABAD: The outcome of the GHMC polls has set alarm bells ringing for the TRS. Five years ago, people gave a thumping majority to the pink party with 99 of 150 seats in the civic body and about 14 seats of 24 assembly seats in 2018 assembly elections.
TRS, which did not have any seats in 2009 GHMC council, emerged victorious in 2016 by securing 99 seats of 150 and the mayor’s post.
Now, the party is confined to only 55 seats. Political analysts said the anti-incumbency vote consolidated and went in favour of the BJP and people did not take developmental works into consideration. Analysts are surprised that though the TRS announced various sops — waiver of property tax, free drinking water, free electricity to some sectors, power bill waiver for six months for commercial establishments, and exemptions in GST to film industry — this did not neutralize people’s anger.
TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao has made some major mistakes that led to the victory of BJP in 48 seats, political analyst Prof K Nageshwar said. “These mistakes include the weakening of the Congress and TDP parties in the state, which led to straight fight between TRS and BJP instead of a triangular one. Underestimating the potential loss of TRS and MIM friendship, which was highlighted by the BJP during the election campaign. He also underestimated the strength of BJP in the state. Apart from this, KCR did not take any firm stand on BJP like supporting the NDA at the Centre and criticising local leaders,” Nageshwar said, adding the TRS supremo did not gauge discontentment among the people.
CPM city secretary M Srinivas said the TRS government paid heavy price for handling the flood situation badly, for lack of infrastructure in many colonies, the layout regularisation scheme, and unhappiness over performance of the sitting candidates.
Lok Satta founder Jayaprakash Narayan said TRS went to the polls on positive agenda like development and unity. “They got verdict as single largest party. Due to various reasons Congress and TDP failed to perform and now the fight has been between TRS and BJP,” he said.
BJP GHMC elections co-incharge K Sudhakar said GHMC election results show that the TRS days are numbered in Telangana. “GHMC election results is an endorsement of Narendra Modi’s leadership and rejection of politics of appeasement by TRS and communalisation by MIM,” he said.
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