The GHMC polls are just two days away. In the past, when the state of Telangana was formed, BJP barely had any presence in Telangana. Of course, there were some old-timers like Bandaru Dattatreya, Kishen Reddy and K Laxman, who were heard of once in a while, but BJP barely had a base at the grass-root level. It was TRS that had a strong hold in the nascent state of Telangana. MIM too had its stronghold in its areas.
But all this was yesterday. Today, the situation is different. Yes, one will only know of the base BJP has covered once the municipal poll results will be announced on December 4. However, BJP seems to be making a humungous effort to attract not just the sevaks, but the urban populace of Hyderabad and greater Hyderabad.
TRS government has announced a large number of sops within days covering most sectors during the run-up to the polls. They announced a cut in property tax; gave innumerable concessions to the film industry and announced various people-centric schemes. They even went to the extent of saying that people wouldn’t have to pay water bills if they are voted to power in civic polls.
But BJP appears to be hell-bent on winning a wide base in the upcoming GHMC polls. It has roped in BJP yuva morcha president and Bengaluru MP Tejaswi Surya, BJP election in-charge Bhupender Yadav to mobilise and energise the cadre within a short span of time. This apart, the top brass of BJP has been visiting Hyderabad and taking direct pot-shots at TRS and AIMIM. From union minister Prakash Javadekar to BJP national president J P Nadda, to union Home Minister Amit Shah have come to Hyderabad to show their prowess and attract the urban and young voters of Hyderabad and greater Hyderabad. UP CM Yogi Adityanath too has visited Hyderabad in the process.
Already, BJP’s Telangana spokeperson NV Subhash has said that the civic poll was a direct battle between all parties that follow family rule versus BJP that follows the public rule.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi too visited the city to understand the progress made by Bharat Biotech with regards to Covid vaccine, though he did not indulge in any political talk.
Today, a roadshow will be held in Hyderabad by Amit Shah, alongside Bhupender Yadav and BJP’s OBC Morcha president K Laxman. It’s just a matter of days before the impact made by BJP stalwarts will be out.