The talk of the town in Telangana today is Huzurabad byelections. Every political discussion in Telangana is stopping at Huzurabad these days. With the TRS diverting all its energies to this small little place called Huzurabad, the bypoll has become the most important issue in the state.
KCR never takes any election lightly. Be it the general election or a by-election, he would focus all his energies on elections. Winning the election is very important for him. He campaigns even in the bypolls, something that most Chief Ministers do not do. Thus winning Huzurabad is very critical to his politics. He wants to defeat Eatala Rajender, who has dared to rebel against him, and make a statement with the TRS victory.
The moment he axed Eatala, KCR knew there would be bye-elections. So, he has been carefully preparing the ground for the elections. He also knows that Eatala is no pushover. He is a formidable adversary. Hence KCR has deployed his nephew and party’s trouble shooter Harish Rao in Huzurabad. Normally, Harish Rao is deployed in undivided Medak district area only. This is the first time when he is asked to defend the TRS in Karimnagar district.
Thus Huzurabad bypoll is being seen as a real test of fire for both KCR and his nephew Harish Rao. While KCR is spending his energies in chalking out the strategies, Harish Rao is implementing them on the ground. For the last several weeks, Harish Rao has stayed put in Huzurabad and has been meeting all the local leaders. He is trying to meet disgruntled elements and Eatala supporters and is luring them back to the TRS. It remains to be seen how things shape up in Huzurabad in the coming days.
One thing is clear. If Eatala wins, it would be a huge blow to the credibility of KCR. In case Eatala loses, KCR will emerge very strong and unassailable. It would be very difficult to challenge him in the near future. He would attain cult status like Karunanidhi and Mamta Banerjee. Whatever the result of Huzurabad elections, Telangana politics will never be the same.
