Release Date: Release Date – 12:23 AM, Monday – November 7th
The outcome of the Munugode parliamentary by-election reflects the victory of development slogans over the politics of hate and good deeds over empty words. Despite the BJP’s scheming, using every trick in the trade to derail the political climate, Munugod’s voters clearly demanded continued development. TRS candidate K Prabhakar Reddy defeated his nearest BJP rival, K Rajgopal Reddy, after a high-pressure campaign, a denial of the politics of bait-and-switch pursued by the Saffron Party. With Rajgopal Reddy’s resignation from Congress, on eve of vote, BJP’s secret plan to destabilize TRS government smashes target by arresting its agents trying to give Rs 100 crore to each of the four ruling party legislator. This sparked widespread public outrage and exposed the BJP’s blatant abuse of pecuniary power. In sending a clear message that they want continuity in the development agenda and a targeted focus on welfare, Munugod voters have rejected the smear campaign. This decision is an endorsement of TRS government policies and programs. It also makes political sense for the TRS to take seats from Congress, which is now down to third place. The results also proved that people will judge competitors in any poll, not on their political rhetoric, but on the measurable impact of local development policies.
The politics of bribery and inducement at the hands of the BJP has no place in Telangana, where a strong developmental narrative has developed, benefiting all segments of society in measurable ways. A good mix of welfare and development initiatives, a range of people-centred policies and new governance benchmarks have combined to have a positive impact. Whether it’s the revival of the rural economy, the agricultural and power sectors, the rapid advancement of irrigation projects, or the provision of assistance to the disadvantaged and those dependent on traditional occupations, Telangana’s performance over the past eight years has been exemplary, so much so that several Countries have expressed keenness to emulate these policies. Voters in Munugode also refused to be swayed by the divisive agenda. After a long struggle and new governance benchmarks, Telangana has a hard-earned statehood that cannot be dragged down by communalist forces. They need to be defeated in the voting battle. Telangana people’s self-esteem should not be mortgaged on Delhi’s Durbar. Now that its tactics have been rejected by Munugode voters, the BJP leadership must come clean about the overthrow charges.
