KCR seems to be “ a man in a hurry “ and has quickly made plans for the Delhi
journey. These days all travelers travel light, but KCR is travelling extreme-light, as he seems to be in a big hurry. KCR has suddenly shown his ambitions and has
a “ Planless Plan” for national politics . 2200 years ago, Roman writer Terrance
coined the proverb “ Fortune favors the brave “. KCR might be brave and hopes
this proverb favors him.
Nizams of Hyderabad were a successful dynasty in India , having ruled Hyderabad for 224 years from 1724- 1948. The main strategy of the Nizams were to avoid war and be cunningly friendly with all . Nizams avoided war with British and were also friendly with enemies of the British. The only war that Nizam lost was when he fought India in 1948.KCR has great experience in politics. Right now, KCR is playing to two audiences.
In Telengana , KCR says he going to break the ‘ Delhi Fort ‘ , meaning he wants to
be prime minister. In Telengana, KCR is ferocious and aggressive with words.
Outside ,Telengana, KCR is very nice, sober and humble ,saying he wants only to fight BJP. If you look at the photos of KCR, when he meets Opposition chief
Ministers, it is one of humility, innocence and softness. Two audiences –two
faces.
Advantages for KCR :
A. KCR is the Chief Minister of Telengana. That gives him great power,
prestige , resources and authority. If he is not Chief Minister, no one will
take him seriously .
B. KCR has not said that he wants to be prime minister. He only said that he
wants to remove Narendra Modi as prime Minister . So other opposition
leaders are alright with that and feel he can be used.
C. There is a vacuum in national opposition coordination. Possibly, KCR might fill up that vacuum of coordination , like Chandra Babu Naidu did. None oft he other Chief Ministers wants to do such work and they are stingy.
KCR definitely can fill up that role and convey the impression in Telengana, that ‘ he is spinning the Chakram “. A big meeting of opposition Chief Ministers will be held at Hyderabad soon .
D. KCR is also befriending his old enemies like the Gandhis, which is good
politics. The Gandhis are looking for friends and they will welcome KCR.
Gandhis made up with Sharad Pawar, who called them foreigners . Wait for
the meeting between KCR and Gandhis .
E. KCR has a positive image among farmers across India for the Rythu Bandhu scheme, which was the first such scheme in India.
Disadvantages :
A. There is a perception that KCR has lost ground in Telengana and BJP is
rising.This is known nationally. KCR’s weakness in Telengana makes him
look weak. Other regional leaders have national ambitious after winning
elections like Mamata Banerjee. But KCR is going national when he looks
weak. A fatigue has set in about KCR. His main battle will be how to appear
as a fresh face before Telengana, where he has been contesting elections
since 2004
B. KCR has also to mend fences with Andhra people. The opposition would
not like an associate who is viewed hostility in Andhra .
C. As long as KCR does not show Prime minister ambitions, Sharad Pawar,
Mamata , Kejriwal and even Rahul Gandhi will be ok. The Minute they think
he has motives, he will be stopped.
D. KCR does not have a second rung leadership ready to manage Telengana.
Therefore, it is difficult to manage national ambitions when you can’t
govern your state properly.
E. KCR is the only brain of his party. He does not have a wide set of political
advisers or MPs, etc. This is a major defect when you want to go national.
KCR must be aware that he is surrounded by many careerists and
sycophants . Mamata Banerjee and Sharad Pawar have many leaders from
outside their states.
KCR has to be clear. Is he a sepoy of the opposition or its leader? Nothing
wrong in KCR wanting to be prime Minister. We can’t predict who will win
or lose. Neither Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1963 , V.P. Singh in 1989, P.V.
Narasimha Rao in 1991, Manmohan Singh in 2004, Modi in 2014 or even
Rajiv Gandhi in 1984 ever expected to be prime Minister. But the journey is
long and hard. Once KCR has talked about going national, he can’t run
away.
The public senses that KCR is somehow worried about some un-named
problems. KCR will have to be open with the people. But before that journey,
KCR should look at Golconda fort and remember that ‘a warless strategy “ of the Nizams saved them for 224 years.
KCR behaves like a tiger in Telengana , calling himself a “Puli Bidda”. But outside Telengana, KCR behaves like a godly angel. So while KCR’s journey is serious for himself, there will be lot of comedy too . It will be good to see a smiling KCR , both in Telengana and outside Telengana . But wait till March 10 for the 5- State election results.
Depending on the result, there maybe change of plans or even cancellations.