Revanth’s Vizag Talk: Why Complicate What Is Simple?

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy made a controversial remark the other day. While questioning the Central Government about delaying the approval of the Second Phase Metro Rail Project, he mentioned that even Vishakapatnam which is the size of Jubilee Hills to Madhapur has one approved.

This belittling of Vishakapatnam did not go well with the people of Andhra and they are criticizing Revanth Reddy.

Some people analyze that Revanth Reddy is trying to make the Metro Second Phase an issue before the upcoming GHMC elections. It will automatically damage the BJP’s prospects.

Also, the BRS was strong in the GHMC limits in the 2023 Assembly elections. Revanth Reddy wants to woo the Urban crowd by giving them the impression that he is working to better the city’s infrastructure.

All this is fine but belittling Vishakapatnam is completely unnecessary. It is clear that the Andhra settlers supported Revanth Reddy in the previous elections. Why squander their support with statements like this?

He can easily score over the BRS and the BJP even without mentioning Vishakapatnam or anything related to Andhra Pradesh.

Andhra Settlers form a very important support group in the GHMC elections.

GHMC elections are always tricky for the Congress because of their focus on welfare. The Urban people of the GHMC usually votes based on development, infrastructure betterment, and investments. The common opinion is that whenever Congress comes to power, the state lags on these issues.

Hence, Congress struggled for decades in Hyderabad’s municipal body. In the 2002 MCH election (99 wards), it finished third.

YSR changed the game in 2007 by merging the MCH with twelve surrounding municipalities. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation was formed with 150 wards after that expansion. The expansion diluted the old power centres TDP and MIM, helped Congress clinch the Mayor post in 2009 with 52 seats.

It was Congress’s best-ever tally in Hyderabad Local elections.

Congress registered dismal results in the last two GHMC elections. It came a distant third, winning just two wards in those elections (2016 and 2020).