As we wind down the year 2018, it would be interesting to see how political parties fared in 2018. In this series, we will see how the year 2018 was for major political parties- that Telugu people are interested in.
Let’s begin with TRS. Undoubtedly, 2018 is the most memorable year for TRS as it’s supremo, KCR, was able to steer the party into massive victory in this year crushing the grand-alliance in which almost all other parties are part of. But let’s see the key events of TRS in 2018.
U-turn of TRS during NCM on BJP and doubts on TRS joining NDA in 2019
No confidence on Modi’s cabinet was one of the biggest political events in the country in 2018. Even though NDA passed the hurdle, several issues came to discussion in the house, including special category status to Andhra Pradesh and promises made during bifurcation by GOI. One thing that most political analysts were interested during this motion was to see which party is on which side. TRS, told earlier that they will support the demand of Special category status to AP but at the crucial juncture it didn’t support No confidence motion on Modi cabinet, giving enough doubts to people whether TRS colluded with BJP and whether TRS will join NDA in 2019
Mulling over the idea of Federal front
TRS supremo’s decision to conduct a national conclave with the heads of all ‘like- minded’ regional parties in the country was another key development on the political stage of 2018. KCR’s federal front without BJP and Congress became a topic of debate across the country. KCR’s original intention was to have leaders like Hemath Soren, Mamta, Mayawati, Uddav Thackeray, Kumara Swamy and Stalin in this alliance. However, after Karnataka elections and during Telangana elections, equations changed as many parties thought, without Congress, it is difficult to fight against Modi. At some point the federal front concept completely took backstage, but after Telangana elections, KCR again focused on national politics. We have to wait and see whether federal front will realize or not.
Land sliding victory in 2018 Elections
Thanks to Raithu Bandhu and other such welfare schemes, KCR was able to crush the alliance called Praja Kootami that looked gigantic on paper (read it newspapers and TV channels). KCR’s single handed victory against the grand alliance of Congress, TDP, TJS, CPI proved that- media propaganda, alliances based on vote percentages, and political strategies – can’t dethrone the government if the government provides reasonably good governance to the people.
KTR as ‘Heir apparent’
Another key development in TRS party this year is elevation of KTR as party working president. This is the post Stallin handled in DMK when Karunanidhi was alive. This post sends clear signals to party cadres as well as people that he is the next successor for the party. There have been reports, KCR may focus on national politics in the upcoming days. Now it looks like, it is just a matter of time for KTR’s coronation
Overall:
2018 is obviously the best year for TRS – compared to other parties of Telugu states. TRS winning second time, KCR focusing on national politics and KTR readying for the most coveted position – all shows that 2018 is indeed the most memorable year for TRS.
