BJP Reflects On MLC Elections' Debacle

Following its defeat in the recent MLC elections in the graduates' constituencies of Hyderabad-Rangareddy-Mahbubnagar and Warangal-Nalgonda-Khammam, the BJP has reportedly been analysing the reasons for the loss.

Reports say that the party leadership has come to the conclusion that "over-confidence about retaining the Hyderabad-Rangareddy-Mahabubnagar seat" and a "lack of focus on wooing the voters" in the state capital are the primary reasons for the loss. These factors, the leaders feel, were only compounded by the "failure to coordinate with the newly elected GHMC corporators" and "limited field-level campaigning".

Political watchdogs in Telangana, however, have voiced their disagreement with this analysis. They suggest that this appraisal is neither correct nor is it an honest examination of the reasons for the saffron party's failure to clinch the two seats, and that it is but a "superficial analysis" that reveals an attempt to "save face".

Some analysts say that while the masterful selection of the candidate for the Hyderabad-Rangareddy-Mahabubnagar by TRS supremo, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, is partly responsible for the BJP's failure to retain the seat (KCR chose to field Surabhi Vani Devi, daughter of former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao), the BJP's own "failure" in fulfilling the promises it had made to the people of the constituency is also to blame.

Further, they have opined that apart from the "policy misfires" of the BJP-led Centre and its failure to implement the projects promised in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, what really cost the saffron party many votes was the Centre's "disinterest" in taking steps to fulfil the promises made by the BJP leaders in the state - Dharmapuri Arvind's failure to keep his word regarding the establishment of a turmeric board in Nizamabad and the party's failure to secure funds for flood relief from the Centre are all instances of this.

It has been argued that the unkept promises have gone on to create an impression among the people that the leaders have no sway with the high command in Delhi. Some point out that the flood relief promises had helped the party jack up its vote share in last year's GHMC elections, but add that the non-fulfilment of the same went on to cut into its votes this time around.

Further, they add that the fact that out of the seven IIMs, seven IITs, two science research centres, 16 IIITs, 84 Navodaya Vidyalayas and 157 medical colleges sanctioned by the Centre to different states in the last six-and-a-half years, none were sanctioned to Telangana also seems to have left voters in the state disillusioned with the party and its leaders - it has only acted to highlight the "inability" of the Telangana BJP in securing funds and projects for the state in the eyes of the people.

Analysts, therefore, feel that a more honest look at these factors will serve the BJP well in the future.