As Telangana prepares for its highest-stakes Assembly polls yet, Congress is reaching deep into history, invoking the legacy of none other than the Iron Lady – Indiramma. Three decades after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination, her party is resurrecting her memory to oust the incumbent Bharat Rashtra Samithi from power.
The Grand Old Party Aims for a Comeback
After being ousted from power in undivided Andhra Pradesh in 2009, Congress has struggled to regain its foothold in what is now Telangana. However, this time around, the party is banking heavily on resurrecting the political legacy of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to woo voters.
From Medak Stronghold to Distant Memory
Indira Gandhi contested and won the Medak Lok Sabha seat in 1980, making it a Congress bastion at the time. However, after she was assassinated in 1984, her party failed to retain control of the constituency. Since the formation of Telangana in 2014, Medak has been dominated by Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao’s BRS. Clearly, Congress needs more than just invoking memories of Indira Gandhi’s reign to turn the tables in its favor.
‘Indiramma Rajyam’: A Reign of Justice and Welfare?
Both Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and star campaigner Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have referred to Indira Gandhi as ‘Indiramma’ in their public addresses, hoping to build an emotional connect with the electorate. They have credited her with establishing the Nagarjuna Sagar dam during her tenure, bringing irrigation to the state’s farmlands. Further, Priyanka has reminded voters that Indira gave land rights to over 7 lakh landless peasants in the region.
KCR Dismisses ‘Hunger and Hunger Deaths’ of Indiramma Rajyam
However, KCR has been quick to launch counterattacks, accusing Congress of embellishing Indira Gandhi’s contribution to Telangana. Instead, he has attributed her rule with rising hunger and Naxalite violence leading to many deaths. Clearly, he is worried that the Indiramma legacy could dent BRS’ prospects.
Can Congress Defeat KCR’s Mass Outreach and Welfare Schemes?
Having won both the Assembly polls held in Telangana so far, KCR is still seen as a strong regional leader. Backed by popular welfare schemes for farmers and women, BRS has a head start over Congress. Riding on the Telangana pride, KCR even has national ambitions for his party now renamed BRS. For Congress, the road ahead is undoubtedly uphill.
Final Result Hangs in Balance
Ultimately, EVMs will reveal on December 3 whether Telangana still has a soft spot for Indiramma and her party. Or will KCR’s regional clout and pro-incumbency prevail over the Congress’s emotional appeal? The final outcome remains shrouded in suspense. But one thing is clear – Congress is leaving no stone unturned to bring back memories of the bygone Indiramma Rajyam.