Can The BJP Replicate The ‘UP Model’ In Telangana? Here’s The Math

The BJP has launched a new strategy in Telangana by announcing that it will make a 'Backward Class' (BC) person the Chief Minister if it comes to power. This is a significant shift in the state's politics, which has traditionally been seen as a two-horse race between the BJP and the BRS. However, in the upcoming election, the situation seems to be changing, with the Congress emerging as a strong contender. The BJP's decision to target the BC vote bank is a calculated move, but it remains to be seen whether it will pay off.

The BJP has realised its growing influence in Telangana, with party leaders expressing confidence in the likelihood of a hung assembly in the state. The BJP leadership, previously advocating for a dual-engine government, now believes that the Backward Classes (BC) card is the key to securing votes in Telangana. This shift in strategy was underscored by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a recent address in Suryapet, where he announced that a BC candidate would assume the role of Chief Minister should the party come to power.

The BJP believes that the same formula that worked in Uttar Pradesh, where a BC candidate was made Chief Minister, will also work in Telangana. The party plans to give more tickets to BC leaders and women and to include BC promises in its manifesto. However, it is unclear whether a BC CM candidate is the only thing that can unite the party. Opposition parties have pointed out that the BJP has already appointed Kishan Reddy, a non-BC leader, as its state president by removing Bandi Sanjay who represents the BC community.

In Telangana, the Backward Class (BC) voters constitute a significant portion of the state's four-crore population, accounting for approximately 53.50 per cent, which translates to around two crore and eighteen lakh individuals. Scheduled Castes (SCs) make up 18.48 per cent of the population, Scheduled Tribes (STs) comprise 11.74 per cent, and minorities represent 10.06 per cent. Open Category (OC) voters constitute 5 per cent of the population. With a three-way competition unfolding in Telangana, the BJP is strategically allocating more seats to BC candidates than both the BRS and Congress parties. This move is aimed at building stronger connections with the majority voting bloc.

The BJP relies heavily on social engineering in all elections. This strategy has helped the party come to power in many states. In Telangana, the BJP is targeting BCs and women with several initiatives, including the Women's Bill, the BC Commission, and the PM-Vishwakarma scheme.

While the BRS-Congress alliance is endeavouring to win over the public by making enticing free promises under the banner of welfare, it has become increasingly intriguing to gauge the electoral impact of the BJP's social engineering-driven initiatives in Telangana. Nevertheless, it's evident that these slogans have been unveiled with a focus on reaping long-term advantages rather than yielding immediate results.