Vijayashanthi

The Telangana Congress is desperately looking for stars who can turn out the party’s fate, with just less than 16 months left for the general elections.

The party leadership is not completely satisfied, even though firebrand Kodangal MLA A Revanth Reddy has given some sort of strength with his entry.To rejuvenate the party cadres, the party requires some star campaigners. As Congress legislature party leader and veteran K Jana Reddy put it, the party requires more than one Baahubali to resurrect the party.

And perhaps, that was the reason why the Congress high command suddenly remembered senior actress and former MP M Vijayashanti. During the Telangana movement, Vijayashanti played a major role. She is a powerful speaker and also a hard core Telangana activist. For a meeting with AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi, she was summoned to Delhi on Tuesday for a meeting.

Besides a key position in the AICC as well, Vijayashanti is likely to be made in-charge of the party’s campaign committee in Telangana, as per reports from New Delhi. But, at this sudden development, the party ranks are much surprised. According to them, Vijayashanti is a spent force and has almost been forgotten by the people and the party leaders. Following her defeat in 2014 elections, she has not been staying away from active politics. The last time one had heard about her was when she called on jailed AIADMK leader Sasikala. It led to the rumours that she would join Tamil politics, calling it quits for the Telangana.

So, doubts have arouse whether Vijayashanti would be of any use to the Telangana Congress. She will become a competitor for many leaders who are aspiring for big positions, on the other hand. Rather than spent forces like Vijayashanti who make guest appearances in the party, the Congress should look for real leaders.