Congress Surges Towards Victory In Telangana: 5 Key Factors Behind The Resounding Win

Telangana Assembly Elections 2023:  The grand old party, Indian National Congress is heading towards a clear majority in India's youngest state, Telangana, defeating chief opposition, K Chandra Shekhar Rao's Bharat Rashtra Samiti. According to the latest data from the Election Commission of India, after counting around 11 % of votes in the state, Congress is leading on 63 seats, while incumbent BRS is trailing behind marking a tally of only 42 as of 1:10 pm.

Here are the probable key factors which paved the way for a resounding Congress victory

1. The sixer of guarantees by Congress

The Congress party put forth six significant welfare commitments in their campaign: Mahalakshmi, a program centred on women's well-being; Rythu Bharosa, designed for farmers and those in agriculture; Indiramma, pledging affordable housing for the poor; Gruhajyothy, ensuring subsidies on power bills; Yuva Vikasam, aiding education for children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds; and Cheyutha, a health insurance and pension initiative. These promises have resonated with voters and tapped into dissatisfaction among Dalits and Other Backward Classes.

2. Minority Voters

The Congress appears to have garnered support from the Muslim vote, particularly through its emphasis on minority welfare in the "Minority Declaration." The voters who ditched AIMIM shifted to an old camp - the Congress.

3. Anti-incumbency against KCR

The Congress capitalised on the prevailing anti-incumbency sentiment against K Chandrashekar Rao and his administration, securing a significant portion of the votes in rural and semi-urban regions, which have traditionally been strongholds for the ruling party.

4. BJP's self-goal by changing the state unit president

In July, the BJP, by swapping Bandi Sanjay with G Kishan Reddy as its state unit chief, seems to have diminished the party's strength in the state. This move appears to have unsettled the party, putting it in a more vulnerable position and allowing the Congress to gain on its role as the primary opposition party in the state.

5. Corruption charges on BRS

From July to November, the Congress hurled hundreds of corruption charges at K Chandrashekar Rao and criticised the party for flawed policy implementation. These allegations appear to have resonated, making it challenging for the BRS to dismiss or overcome the stain of corruption.