The Congress is preparing to face any challenge that may emerge in the event of TRS emerging as the single largest party. Like in Karnataka, the Governor is expected to invite KCR to form the government if his is the single largest party. What should be the Congress strategy in such a situation?
Firstly, Congress leaders are setting their sights on independents who are already being contacted. Next they are making all arrangements to ensure winning candidates of Congress, TDP, TJS and CPI are not lured by rivals. To put these plans effectively into practice, Congress high command has considered taking services of the party leader DK Shivakumar, who is now a minister in Karnataka.
The decision was taken since Shivakumar has proved his talent by overcoming crisis after the Karnataka Governor invited BJP to form the government there as it was the single largest party. The Congress leaders made sure BJP could not lure rival candidates to prove its majority which eventually removed hurdles for the formation of JDS-Congress coalition government there.
The Congress fears a Karnataka-like crisis will also arise in Telangana. It is taking all precautions. Already, there are charges levelled by Nagarkurnool TRS candidate Marri Janardhan Reddy that he was lured by Chevella MP Konda Visveswara Reddy to join the Congress. Visveswara Reddy had switched loyalty from TRS to Congress prior to early polls.
