The political scene in Telangana has taken an unexpected twist as Karnataka has become a major talking point in the election campaign. Unlike previous elections that focused mainly on local issues, the BRS-Congress alliance is emphasizing the influence of the neighboring state in a surprising manner.
This change in focus began after the Congress party succeeded in Karnataka’s elections, sparking a rise in Kannada politics in Telangana. Initially, the battle in Telangana was thought to be between BRS and the BJP. However, the Karnataka election outcomes altered this dynamic.
The Congress party swiftly capitalized on this momentum, shifting its campaign from criticizing the central government to targeting local leaders in Telangana. In response, the BRS intensified its attacks on the Congress, accusing them of not fulfilling promises made in Karnataka. To counter these accusations, the Congress presented its ‘Six Guarantees,’ offering schemes like Mahalakshmi, Rythu Bharosa, Griha Jyoti, Indiramma Inti, Yuva Vikasam, and a monthly pension.
To add weight to their promises, the Congress brought in key figures from Karnataka, namely Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. In turn, the BRS accused the Congress of not properly implementing their promises in Karnataka and alleged that DK Shivakumar conspired to move an industry from Hyderabad to Bengaluru. This accusation, supported by a released letter, became a significant focus of the campaign.