N※N

Etala Rajender at political crossroads; BJP faces yet another internal turmoil in Telangana

Etala Rajender at Political Crossroads: BJP Faces Yet Another Internal Turmoil in Telangana

Hyderabad: In the ever-shifting landscape of Telangana politics, Etala Rajender, the former state health minister and a prominent figure in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), finds himself at a critical juncture. Once a key player in the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS, now Bharat Rashtra Samithi or BRS), Rajender's political journey has been marked by dramatic twists, from his unceremonious exit from the ruling party to his high-profile entry into the BJP. However, recent developments suggest that his tenure in the saffron party may be fraught with challenges, exacerbating the internal fissures within the BJP's Telangana unit. This turmoil comes at a time when the party is struggling to consolidate its position in the state, especially after a series of electoral setbacks and leadership squabbles.

Rajender's political saga began in earnest during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. As Telangana's health minister under Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), he was at the forefront of the state's response to the crisis. However, his career took a sharp downturn when allegations of land encroachment surfaced against him. Accused of illegally occupying assigned lands belonging to Scheduled Caste farmers in Achampet village, Rajender was swiftly sacked from the cabinet. The move was seen as a calculated political maneuver by KCR to neutralize a potential rival within the party. Feeling betrayed and humiliated, Rajender resigned from the TRS and, in a bold move, joined the BJP, which was then positioning itself as a viable alternative to the dominant regional outfit.

His defection was hailed as a major coup for the BJP in Telangana. Rajender, a Backward Class (BC) leader from the Mudiraj community, brought with him a significant voter base, particularly in rural areas. He contested the Huzurabad by-election in 2021 on a BJP ticket and emerged victorious, defeating his TRS rival by a substantial margin. This win was celebrated as a breakthrough for the BJP, signaling its growing footprint in a state long dominated by the TRS and, to a lesser extent, the Congress. Rajender's success was attributed to his personal charisma, his track record as a minister, and the anti-incumbency sentiment against the KCR government. It also boosted the morale of BJP workers, who saw in him a leader capable of challenging the regional hegemony.

Fast forward to the present, and the narrative has taken a darker turn. Sources within the BJP indicate that Rajender is increasingly disillusioned with the party's state leadership and its overall strategy in Telangana. Reports suggest that he feels sidelined in key decision-making processes, with his inputs often ignored by the central high command. This dissatisfaction stems from several factors. Firstly, the BJP's performance in the 2023 Telangana Assembly elections was underwhelming. Despite high expectations fueled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aggressive campaigning and the party's national narrative on development and Hindutva, the BJP managed to secure only eight seats, a far cry from its ambitious targets. Rajender, who contested from Gajwel and Huzurabad constituencies, lost both, including a high-stakes battle against KCR in Gajwel. These defeats have dented his image and raised questions about his electoral viability.

Moreover, internal factionalism within the Telangana BJP has reached a boiling point. The party unit is plagued by rivalries between various groups, including those loyal to state president G. Kishan Reddy, former state chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar, and other influential figures like Komatireddy Raj Gopal Reddy. Bandi Sanjay, known for his aggressive style and strong RSS backing, was replaced as state president in 2023, a move that many saw as an attempt to moderate the party's image ahead of elections. However, this has only deepened the divides, with accusations of favoritism and nepotism flying thick and fast. Rajender, positioned as a moderate voice with mass appeal, finds himself caught in this crossfire. Insiders claim he has been vocal about the lack of coordination and the central leadership's interference, which often prioritizes national agendas over local issues.

The current crisis was highlighted by Rajender's recent absence from key party meetings and his cryptic social media posts hinting at introspection and possible realignment. Speculation is rife that he might be considering a return to the BRS or even exploring options with the Congress, which swept to power in the 2023 elections under Revanth Reddy. Such a move would not be unprecedented in Telangana's fluid political environment, where defections are commonplace. For instance, several BJP MLAs and leaders have jumped ship in recent years, citing similar grievances. Rajender's potential exit could deal a severe blow to the BJP, which is already grappling with a leadership vacuum and declining cadre morale.

To understand the broader implications, one must delve into the BJP's challenges in southern India, particularly Telangana. Unlike in northern states where the party has a strong organizational base, in Telangana, it relies heavily on charismatic leaders and anti-incumbency waves. The state's politics is deeply rooted in regional identity, caste dynamics, and welfare schemes, areas where the BJP has struggled to make inroads. The TRS/BRS's focus on Telangana pride and schemes like Rythu Bandhu have resonated with voters, while the BJP's emphasis on national issues like Article 370 or the Ram Temple often falls flat in a region with its own set of priorities, such as irrigation projects, employment, and reservations.

Rajender's predicament also underscores the BJP's difficulties in managing defectors. While the party has successfully absorbed leaders from other parties in states like Maharashtra and Karnataka, in Telangana, integration has been rocky. Defectees like Rajender bring their own ambitions and voter bases, but without adequate accommodation, they become liabilities. Party insiders point to the need for a more inclusive approach, perhaps by giving Rajender a prominent role in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections or in the state organization.

The turmoil extends beyond Rajender. Recent months have seen protests and resignations from lower-level functionaries, unhappy with the party's direction. For example, in districts like Karimnagar and Nizamabad, where the BJP had shown promise, there are reports of infighting over ticket distribution and resource allocation. The central leadership, preoccupied with national elections, has been accused of neglecting these issues, leading to a sense of abandonment among state leaders.

Analysts believe this internal strife could hamper the BJP's prospects in the 2024 general elections. Telangana has 17 Lok Sabha seats, and the party won four in 2019. Maintaining or improving this tally is crucial for the BJP's southern strategy, but ongoing discord might alienate voters. Rajender, with his influence in BC communities, could be a key asset if placated, or a spoiler if he defects.

In conversations with party workers, there's a palpable frustration. One anonymous BJP leader remarked, "Etala garu brought us Huzurabad, but now he's being treated like an outsider. If this continues, we'll lose more ground to Congress and BRS." Rajender himself has remained tight-lipped, but his recent meetings with influential figures outside the BJP have fueled rumors.

As Telangana politics heats up, all eyes are on Rajender's next move. Will he stay and fight for reform within the BJP, or seek greener pastures elsewhere? The answer could reshape the party's fortunes in the state. For now, the BJP's Telangana chapter remains a cauldron of unrest, a microcosm of the challenges facing a national party in a regionally dominated arena. The coming weeks will be telling, as leaders scramble to avert a full-blown crisis. In the high-stakes game of Indian politics, crossroads like these often lead to unexpected alliances and seismic shifts, and Rajender's decision could be the catalyst for one such change.

(Word count: 1,056)

Read the Full Telangana Today Article at:
[ https://telanganatoday.com/etala-rajender-at-political-crossroads-bjp-faces-yet-another-internal-turmoil-in-telangana ]