CHENNAI: The BJP’s rise in Telangana can be attributed to the RSS’ ground work and ideological influence.
In the political landscape of Telangana, a significant transformation has been underway in recent years—the growing popularity of the Bharatiya Janata Party. What was once considered a predominantly regional player, the BJP has been steadily making inroads into the Telugu-speaking state’s political arena, challenging the dominance of established parties, like the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS, formerly known as Telangana Rashtra Samithi), the Indian National Congress (INC), Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM). This shift in dynamics begs the question: why is the BJP gaining traction in Telangana?
When you look at the 2014 Assembly elections in Telangana, the BJP, which was in alliance with TDP at the time, won 5 seats. Then the 2018 Assembly elections saw the K. Chandrashekar Rao-led Bharat Rashtra Samithi win 88 seats, INC win 19, TDP 2, AIMIM 7, and other parties and an independent candidate and BJP win only 1 each. Cut to the 2023 Telangana Legislative Assembly elections, BRS was massively cut down to 39 seats and INC along with its ally Communist Party of India (CPI) won a majority with 65 seats. The TDP didn’t contest the 2023 Assembly elections. However, the BJP won 8 Assembly seats (its highest ever) showing that its popularity was growing in this Telugu-speaking state.
As for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Telangana, the BJP, with its growing voter base, is looking to win at least 12 of the total 17 seats, with a 35% vote share. There are numerous factors that have contributed to the rise of the saffron party in Telangana.
STATE’S HISTORY IMPACTS POLITICS
Telangana’s history around the last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, is marked by a series of significant events, including the integration of the princely state of Hyderabad into the Indian Union and subsequent socio-political upheavals. After India gained Independence, the Nizam initially sought to maintain Hyderabad’s independence or accession to Pakistan. However, the majority Hindu population and the Indian government favoured integration with India. This integration was not without conflict, as there were reports of widespread violence and atrocities during the Police Action.
The Nizam and his private army, who weren’t keen on Hyderabad’s integration, were in conflict with the Left (the Communist movement in the 40s) and the Right wings during the time of Independence. Subsequently, the Right-wing developed a narrative of Hindus against Muslim rulers and this has been pushed further by the BJP in Telangana, say political analysts. According to a notification issued on 23 March by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, 17 September each year would be celebrated as Hyderabad Liberation Day. The notification stated that there was a demand from the people of the region that 17 September be celebrated as Hyderabad Liberation Day. “In order to remember the martyrs who liberated Hyderabad and to infuse the flame of patriotism in the minds of the youth, the Government of India has decided to celebrate September 17 every year as Hyderabad Liberation Day”, it added.
GROWING INFLUENCE OF THE RIGHT WING
According to socio-political analysts, the rise of the BJP is also related to other historical factors. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has a role in Telangana’s history as well, and its strength and influence have varied in the state over the decades. The BJP’s rise in Telangana, especially in recent years, can be attributed to the RSS’ groundwork and ideological influence.
During the Telangana armed struggle (1946-1951), also known as the Telangana rebellion, the RSS played a role in the nationalist movement against the Nizam’s autocratic rule. After India gained independence in 1947, the RSS continued its socio-cultural activities in Telangana. It expanded its network of shakhas (local branches) and focused on grassroots mobilization, especially in rural areas. The RSS’ emphasis on nationalism and Hindu identity resonated with many people in Telangana.
Over the years, the RSS’ influence in Telangana has extended into politics. RSS-backed organizations, such as the BJP, have become active players in the state’s political landscape. The BJP’s rise in Telangana, particularly in recent years, shows how the RSS work at the grassroots had helped the national party gain a strong foothold.
Thus, the BJP’s emphasis on Hindutva and cultural nationalism has resonated with certain sections of the population in the state and contributed to increasing vote share.
‘BJP IS THE BEST BET’
The BJP has been trying to garner the support of the backward classes and Dalits and their election campaigns have also focused on this aspect. During the 2023 Assembly election campaign in Telangana, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated in a public meeting that the ruling BRS was “anti-poor, anti-Dalit” and “anti-weaker sections” and along with the Congress Party, it was only interested in perpetuating dynastic rule. “What happened to the vow to make a Dalit the Chief Minister? What happened to the promised provision of Rs 50,000 crore for the development of the Dalits? What happened to the Rs 1,000 crore fund for the development of the BCs?” he asked.
“BRS and Congress failed to accommodate Backward Classes in their governance, whereas TDP did to some extent in united Andhra Pradesh. PM Modi is the biggest (Other) Backward Class face. We accorded legal status with the national BC commission, and BCs in Telangana see the BJP as the best bet after BRS’ decline,” said K. Laxman, BJP national parliamentary board member and national OBC Morcha chairman, in an interview. “With BRS dwindling in popularity and losing the 2023 Assembly elections, it is obvious that the TDP vote bank converted to BRS would now switch to the BJP. This will be an easy transition of votes and is already happening,” Kishore Poreddy, a spokesperson for the saffron party, told the media recently.
Some of the recent decisions taken by the BJP will also enhance its image in Telangana, say political analysts. The consecration of the Ram temple at Ayodhya has been appealing to certain sections of society which are likely to vote for the party. The BJP’s “no corruption” image and strong leadership at the Centre are also in its favour at this point. The party’s aggressive campaign in Telangana with PM Modi addressing public meetings in Karimnagar and Warangal, Telangana, on 7 May, saw him attack the Congress and BRS on the issues of corruption; dynastic politics; deceiving the SC, ST, and BC communities by not upholding promises; and appeasement policies for minority groups. Thus, the BJP seems to be on a war footing to try and break the political barriers in Telangana to spread its wings wider in the South. While they have made an impact at the 2023 Telangana Assembly elections, whether the BJP’s ambitious goal of winning over Lok Sabha seats this parliament elections to cement their place in Telangana politics remains to be seen.