Task ahead for BJP chief in Telangana
Although the position was slated as an election, Mr. Rao was the only candidate to file a nomination.
Mr. Rao has the backing of the BJP's central leadership, which will help him to streamline his work systematically. Amid mounting pressure to appoint a Backward Class candidate as the party chief, the BJP stuck to its convention of recognising leaders who have risen from the grassroots. Mr. Rao edged out Malkajgiri MP Eatala Rajender, who had used all his resources to get the top post.
The next Assembly and Parliament elections are still four years away, but there has been intense competition among the aspirants for the coveted post. While the selection process was repeatedly delayed, lobbying for the prestigious post never disappeared. Over the past six years, the BJP has taken a calculated risk in wooing leaders from other political parties.
The party tasted success in the 2023 Assembly elections, where eight BJP candidates — seven of them first-timers — emerged victorious. The same tempo continued in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, where the BJP again won eight seats, doubling its tally from 2019. Interestingly, several outsiders joined the party and went on to become MPs.
However, the BJP, by encouraging those from other parties, created resentment among old timers. This also led to groupism in the party, which seldom tolerates indiscipline and discourages leader-centric politics. This heartburn among the loyal leaders and cadres has been contained with the appointment of Mr. Rao.
In Telangana, where Backward Classes form the largest share of the electorate, followed by Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and then Forward Castes, most major parties — especially the Congress — have focused heavily on winning their support. With this backdrop, BJP workers had hoped the party would elevate a Backward Class leader as State president.
To the surprise of everyone, the top brass went ahead by loyalty and commitment, naming Mr. Rao, a Brahmin, as the party chief.
Coming to the caste equations, the BJP is known to hold a strong sway among the Brahmins and the influential Velama community, followed by a few Backward Class communities. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have, traditionally, avoided sailing with the saffron party.
The powerful Reddy community, which traditionally sailed with the Congress, had shifted its support base over the years. In the 2018 Assembly elections, it leaned toward the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), backed the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, and returned to the Congress fold in 2023.
'Leadership to be tested'
According to the Socio-Economic, Education, Employment, Political and Caste Survey — which covered 3,54,77,554 people and 1,12,15,134 families — Backward Classes account for 56.33% of Telangana's population, including 10.08% BC Muslims. SCs make up 17.43%, STs 10.45%, and Muslims 12.56% (of whom 2.48% are OC Muslims). Forward Castes constitute 13.31% of the population.
Therefore, the new BJP chief has his task cut out to woo the Backward Class voters. Beyond his political capabilities, Mr. Rao's leadership will be tested in the upcoming local body polls. It is a fact that the BJP has not penetrated the rural areas as expected, with its support base largely confined to a few pockets. The local body polls, particularly the gram panchayat elections, which are held on a non-party basis, will require Mr. Rao to focus on identifying willing and capable candidates. The BJP will be up against the ruling Congress, which will leave no stone unturned to secure a victory. The BRS, the main Opposition party, will also be in the reckoning.
If the BJP hopes to make further inroads in the State, Mr. Rao will have to channel all his energy into reaching every corner of Telangana; constituting village units, and enthusing the cadres. His experience and ideological grounding will be put to the test in the coming months, as he takes on both the ruling Congress and the BRS.
ravi.reddy@thehindu.co.in
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