In an effort to regain its influence in Andhra Pradesh, the Congress high command is devising multiple strategies. Since the division of the state, with Telangana being carved out, the Congress has been unable to secure a single MLA or MP seat in the past two general elections.
One key aspect of the strategy is to deliver the promised Special Category Status (SCS) to Andhra Pradesh once the Congress comes to power at the center. This move aims to highlight Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's commitment during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in AP, where he pledged that the next Congress government would grant Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh, regardless of the state's voting preferences.
This promise could resonate with the people, as the BJP, currently in power at the center, has neglected this commitment despite being involved in the state's bifurcation in Parliament.
Another strategy is to invite those who have left the Congress to join other parties to return to their original party. In addition to leveraging Congress leaders from AP to strengthen the party in the state, leaders from Karnataka and Telangana will also be engaged. Particular attention is being given to Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shiva Kumar in this regard.
Notably, four Rajya Sabha seats in Karnataka will soon become vacant. As part of the strategy to bolster the party in AP, the Congress high command plans to allocate one of these seats to a candidate from Andhra Pradesh.
Congress acknowledges the importance of these strategies, considering that the party has faced significant setbacks in AP after the demise of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, even though opportunities were given to K. Rosaiah and Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy to serve as chief ministers. Kiran Kumar Reddy formed a new political party following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and has recently joined the BJP.
While only a few senior Congress leaders have remained with the party, the majority have shifted their loyalties to YSRC, with a few aligning themselves with the TD.
A senior Congress leader from AP expresses confidence that with these new strategies and the rising popularity of the Congress nationally, the party will perform well in Andhra Pradesh.