Telangana’s KCR misses a historic hat-trick

HYDERABAD, Dec 3: After spearheading the separate Telangana movement and leading his party to significant victories since 2001, a third term in office eluded BRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao, as his party fell behind in the legislative assembly polls.
The setback could derail Rao’s ambitions to expand the BRS’s influence beyond Telangana and establish a national presence.Transitioning from relative obscurity as a Congress supporter to becoming a symbol of Telangana pride, KCR adeptly navigated the complexities of state and central politics.
He gained prominence first with the formation of Telangana in 2014, followed by consecutive triumphs in the 2014 and 2018 assembly polls.
A shrewd politician, Rao took an early initiative by announcing 115 candidates for the 119-member assembly in August this year.
However, this strategy seemingly backfired as the party candidates grappled with anti-incumbency sentiments.KCR often faces accusations of perpetuating dynastic rule, nepotism, and corruption, allegations that seem to have resonated with the electorate.
Following the poor showing in the current assembly polls, experts say the BRS must undergo a revival for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and gear up for a prolonged battle against the Congress. (PTI)