The ensuing by-election to Nagarjuna Sagar assembly seat is the last chance for the Congress party in Telangana to bounce back, as a defeat here would mean a complete burial to the grand old party.
According to sources, the Congress high command has pulled up the party leadership in Telangana for the poor show in all the elections held in the state so far. Especially in the recent MLC elections, the party has virtually thrown up its hands.
The party could not put up even a decent fight and got a respectable vote share and in both the graduates’ constituencies, the party candidates lagged far behind even the independents.
“Nagarjunasagar is perhaps the last chance for the party to salvage our lost prestige. If the Congress cannot win this by-election, it clearly shows that the people have lost their faith in the party and they are looking towards the BJP as the next alternative,” a senior Congress leader said.
On his part, veteran leader K Jana Reddy is struggling hard to win the election at any cost. He is touring every village and interacting with the voters.
His team is also touching every caste group and holding meeting with them. However, there has been no support from other senior leaders in the party.
Sources said the Congress high command has instructed the PCC to hold a massive public meeting in Nagarjunasagar which might be attended by Rahul Gandhi.
The high command also asked all the party leaders including Revanth Reddy and Komatireddy to take part in the campaign extensively.
So far, the lack of enthusiasm among the leaders and cadres is clearly evident in the Telangana Congress. Let us see whether there would be some movement in the party in the next one week or 10 days.