With its fortunes dipping rapidly in both Telangana and Seemandhra regions, the Congress went for the jugular by taking recourse to its time-tested social engineering plank to revive the lost glory.
By giving a sizeable representation to SCs, BCs, minorities and other castes in its lists, the party has tried to buy peace with the weaker sections. Selection of two BC leaders – N. Raghuveera Reddy (Andhra Pradesh) and Ponnala Lakshmaiah (Telangana) -- as PCC chiefs is a radical shift in Congress policy which, hitherto, banked heavily on the influential communities.
Party leaders see it as a part of larger game plan to woo the weaker sections in the coming elections and at the same time, put the TDP and the TRS in a fix. While the TRS has initially claimed that it would make a Dalit as Chief Minister of Telangana, the TDP has been championing the cause of a BC for the top post. But, the Congress stole a march over the two parties with its choices on Tuesday.
Informed sources pointed out that it would have been smooth affair but for the hara-kiri committed by Union Minister Jairam Ramesh that a Dalit would be made the CM of Telangana. His statement reportedly created ripples with a section of the party leaders complaining against the Union Minister. The central leadership is said to have been forced to take a re-look at the selections after Mr. Ramesh’s remarks put the party in a spot. Sources said the constitution of the new chiefs for various committees has clearly established that the party did not want to displease any community. By selecting Mr. Lakshmaiah, it sought to prove its credentials as having faith in a BC leader. At the same time, it did not ignore former Chief Minister C. Damodar Rajanarasimha, a Dalit, and Mohd. Ali Shabbir, a minority leader, who are now made chairman and vice-chairman of the campaign committee.
Deputy Speaker Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, an SC, has been entrusted a key position in the Pradesh election committee.
