While Malkajgiri MP A Revanth Reddy's
appointment to the post of TPCC chief has drawn
sharp reactions from many within the Congress, some others in the party have welcomed the decision.
Those opposing Reddy's appointment believe that it will be an "uphill task" for him to revitalise the party in Telangana due to a host of external conditions, whereas the other camp asserts that the leader will be able help the party stage a comeback in the state.
Reddy's task may be difficult, as some have argued, mainly because the people of the state are acutely aware of the role played by the TRS supremo, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, in the Telangana agitation, the movement that eventually prompted the Centre to grant statehood to the region.
Further, political analysts point out that in his two terms in office, KCR has introduced several "innovative" welfare and developmental programs for the people of Telangana and that under his rule, the state has achieved remarkable progress in the agriculture, irrigation, power, education, medical and health sectors. These factors have helped the TRS and the CM consolidate much goodwill and support, which means that the public often rejects the "anti-TRS" criticisms of the parties of the Opposition as being superficial.
The overwhelming support the pink party was able to mobilise in the recent MLC elections in two graduates' constituencies in the state as well as in the Nagarjunasagar by-election proves beyond doubt the degree of goodwill enjoyed by it.
Apart from the TRS' strength in the state, many contend that Revanth Reddy will not be able to win the trust of the people as they have not yet forgotten the "dirty game" played by him to "destabilise" the democratically elected KCR government using various "underhand" means, which he indulged in at the insistence of his political mentor, former AP CM Chandrababu Naidu.
As a result of this, even within the Congress, there is a feeling that by appointing the MP as TPCC chief, the party high command has compromised on the outfit's democratic principles. This, they feel, will adversely affect the interests of the party in the state.
Some Congressmen feel that leaders like former TPCC chief N Uttam Kumar Reddy had failed to apprise the high command regarding Revanth Reddy's involvement in the infamous "Note for Vote" case and that this failure will also cost the party dearly in the days to come. Besides, they argue that in giving him such a major post within the party, despite the fact that he had defected from the TDP to join the Congress only five years back, the high command had ignored those senior leaders who had "sailed with the party through thick and thin" for decades.
Another development that many fear will erode the Congress' support base further is the recent
launch of Y S Sharmila's new party, the YSR Telangana Party, as they think that it is likely that some party leaders and supporters may join the new outfit soon.
All these factors make it abundantly clear that it will be nothing short of a Herculean task for Revanth Reddy to revive the Congress in Telangana.