Telangana MLC polls: Congress wave comes under BJP cloud, Bandi Sanjay emerges 'winner'

The results delivered a significant setback to the ruling Congress after 15 months in office. Of three contested seats—one graduates and two under teachers quota—BJP won the graduates seat and one teachers seat, while a teachers' union candidate secured the remaining position.

Hyderabad: The recent MLC poll results have revealed a shifting political landscape in Telangana, with BJP gaining ground as it directly competed against Congress in the absence of BRS.

These results delivered a significant setback to the ruling Congress after 15 months in office. Of three contested seats—one graduates and two under teachers quota—BJP won the graduates seat and one teachers seat, while a teachers' union candidate secured the remaining position. 

Notably, BJP wrested the sitting Graduates MLC seat from Congress—the same seat whose flip to Congress in 2019 had signaled BRS's decline.

This outcome reflects growing dissatisfaction among educated voters and teachers with the Congress government. Despite a split in the anti-government vote, Congress failed to secure any victory.

Of the 252,029 total votes cast in the graduates seat, BJP's Ch Anji Reddy polled 75,675 first preference votes, Congress candidate Narender Reddy secured 70,565, and BSP-backed independent Prasanna Harikrishna received 60,419. This also shows 1,30, 984 voted against Congress.

Did BRS opting out help BJP?

BRS's decision not to contest these elections in North Telangana—traditionally their stronghold—created opportunities for BJP to strengthen its position in a region where it already holds six MP and seven MLA seats.

BJP candidates Malka Komaraiah and Chinnamile Anjireddy's victories in the Karimnagar-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Medak teachers and graduates constituencies respectively have sparked significant discussion, particularly as BJP had no prior history of winning Graduate MLC elections.

Traditionally, teacher and graduate associations have played a crucial role in these elections, with candidates supported by teacher associations winning consistently for decades. The BJP had no prior history of winning Graduate MLC elections, making their capture of two seats across 42 assembly constituencies in North Telangana particularly noteworthy.

Bandi Sanjay, the game changer 

BJP insiders attribute this success to Union minister of state for Home Affairs  Bandi Sanjay, who took complete responsibility for ensuring the victory of Malka Komaraiah and Anjireddy. From the moment the election notification was released until polling ended, Sanjay remained focused on these candidates' success. Despite his busy schedule, he camped in Karimnagar for 15 days, appointing an in-charge for every 25 voters and organizing meetings with these "Pachis Incharges" (25 in-charges) by district and parliamentary constituency.

Conversely, BJP candidate Sarotham Reddy's defeat in the Nalgonda-Khammam-Warangal Teacher MLC election is attributed to lack of similar leadership.

However Congress leadership claims BRS helped BJP win the seats. "The BJP and BRS orchestrated a covert alliance to defeat our candidate. Why did BRS abstain from fielding its own candidate?" said Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu.

BJP workers are celebrating this win as a political "Champions Trophy."

"In cricket's Champions Trophy, under the leadership of Captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli performed spectacularly, winning all matches and reaching the finals. Similarly, in Telangana's MLC Champions Trophy, under Captain Kishan Reddy, the BJP team showcased its strength, while Bandi Sanjay played a Virat Kohli-like role in extensive campaigning, ensuring BJP candidates' victory," said a BJP state office bearer.