Change of guard kicks off a new era in Telangana politics

As 2023 draws to a close, Telangana has experienced a significant political shift with the Congress defeating the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in the November 30 assembly elections, ending the nine-and-a-half-year rule of KCR. Anumula Revanth Reddy, at 54 years old, emerged as a key leader for the Congress, leading the party to victory against the 69-year-old KCR. Upon assuming power, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy demonstrated a unique approach by opening the previously restricted Pragati Bhavan, renaming it Jyotirao Phule Praja Bhavan, and making it accessible to the public.

The new government swiftly implemented two of the Congress party's promises, offering free bus travel for women and increasing free treatment for the poor in corporate hospitals from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy initiated "Praja Palana" (People’s Rule) to bring the administration directly to the people, addressing grievances and identifying beneficiaries of government schemes. White papers on Telangana's financial position were released to elucidate the state's debt crisis under the previous BRS government, with borrowings reaching ₹6.71 lakh crore.

As the year comes to an end, the challenges for Chief Minister Revanth Reddy include overcoming the financial crisis, delivering on the Congress party's six guarantees, and navigating the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. The Congress secured 64 out of 119 assembly seats in the recent elections, only four seats more than the absolute majority, presenting the additional challenge of preventing any potential party splits.

For KCR, the year shattered his aspirations to become a prominent figure in national politics. Despite transforming the TRS into BRS and initiating a national campaign, KCR's dreams were thwarted by the Congress's electoral success. His efforts to expand the BRS's influence in Maharashtra and other states faced challenges, and confrontations with the BJP and the Prime Minister marked a change in his confrontational approach. The year also saw complications arising from the Delhi liquor scam involving his daughter, Kavitha, leading to speculations about a potential compromise with the BJP leadership.

सत्ता परिवर्तन से तेलंगाना की राजनीति में एक नए युग की शुरुआत हुई