From Telangana to Rayala Telangana, the Congress is on a new journey that is dotted with electoral ambitions. Notwithstanding opposition from Telangana Rashtra Samiti, BJP and other political parties, the plan to expand the Telangana borders has
Also, Rayala Telangana would split the state evenly, giving 21 Lok Sabha and 147 assembly seats each - something that the Congress feels would be an advantage for it with the country going to general polls in May 2014.
What the Congress is worried about is the number of MLAs. Currently there are 160 MLAs from Seemandhra and 119 from Telangana. If 28 MLAs from Kurnool and Anantapur are added to Telangana, the numbers will be 147 (Seemandhra) and 132 (Telangana).
The reason why Congress leaders are not particularly happy with the Rayala-T move is linked to the caste dynamics. There is a fear that the backward classes, scheduled castes and tribals have been strengthening themselves in Telangana and Seemandhra
The fight against Rayala Telangana is expected to unite the BJP and TRS, which has hinted at joining NDA. When the TRS called for a bandh to protest Rayala-T move, BJP readily extended its support.
The Congress hopes that will impact the BJP voters too. The fundamental reason why the BJP is against Rayala Telangana.
In fact it was the MIM which had first mooted the idea od Rayala Telangana to ensure protection of Muslims in the area.
While the Congress has made many enemies, it hopes to keep its ally Akbaruddin Owaisi's Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (MIM) happy as the latter has huge Muslim voters in the two districts.
It is almost a similar case with Telgugu Deam Party leader Chandrababu Naidu, who belongs to Rayalaseema's Chittoor district. He will now be an outsider in Rayala Telangana.
Kadapa MP Jagan Reddy has his base in the Rayalaseema region, which comprises the districts of Kurnool, Anantapur, Kadapa and Chittoor. The strong base has given an advantage in other areas of Andhra. With Rayala T, Jagan loses two districts and
On the contrary, ever since Jagan was out of the jail, he has been campaigning against the Congress' move to split Andhra Pradesh. Now, the Congress plans to dent his voter base in his stronghold Rayalaseema and dilute his power.
The Congress seems to have been disappointed with YSR Congress Jagan Mohan Reddy, who has been garnering support for his united Andhra cause. It was speculated that the Congress was harnessing plans to ally with YSRC in Andhra Pradesh and hence
For Rao, Rayala-Telangana is unacceptable because voters would target him for allowing non-Telangana districts in the state. Warning severe agitations and calling for a bandh, Rao had said: "This is unacceptable to the people of Telangana. The
Though Rao enjoys good support base in Telangana areas because of his vigorous approach to Telangana, the two new districts might mar his number count. Though people of Rayalaseema were for united Andhra, they never had any particular inclination to
With Rayala Telangana, the Congress wants to weaken the base of TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao and compel him to agree for alliance. Rao is vehemently opposing inclusion of Anantapur and Kurnool of Telangana as he has no presence in two districts.
At the time of announcement of Telangana on July 30, the Congress was hopeful of a tie-up with Telangana Rashtra Samiti, a key player in Telangana. When the TRS maintained a steady silence for months on the merger plans, the Congress had a plan B
There aren't many takers for Rayala Telangana, a departure from the earlier plan of Telangana with 10 districts. Now, two of the four districts from Rayalaseema region-- Anantapur and Kurnool-- will be part of Telangana. Analysts say the decision