Kodandaram readies to take the plunge in Telangana politics

HYDERABAD: Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC) chairman M Kodandaram appears to be gradually moving towards playing the role of Telangana’s Arvind Kejriwal by floating a political outfit for the aam aadmi (commoners) of the state.While there are mixed views within the TJAC whether floating a political party would really help the former professor in dethroning Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao in the next Assembly polls, the organisation’s chairman on Saturday gave clarity on the possibility of him  launching a political party, sooner or later. 

“Many in the TJAC are exerting pressure on me to transform the organisation into a political outfit. People across the state are also asking us for the same. We are discussing about this proposal as there is a need to set up an alternative political forum in the state. However, after entering politics, we won’t take wrong path like they (ruling TRS) are following,” he said, while addressing mediapersons. 

Interestingly, Kodandaram had earlier sought some more time to take a final decision on the issue, when majority of the TJAC members during the steering committee meeting held on Sunday raised a clamour for launching a political outfit. However, the same Kodandaram now seems to be gradually preparing the ground for the birth of a new political outfit to represent the plebeians. Even though many of the TJAC members are exerting pressure on their chief to take political plunge, some of the veteran political thinkers are of the view that if Kodandaram really floats a party, it would not be easy for him to compete with other political parties like TRS, Congress, BJP and TDP, “as they have all money and cadre strength.”

“It would not be a cake walk for the TJAC leaders if they launch a political party to contest the next Assembly polls, wherein money power plays a major role. Moreover, the TJAC needs to be substantially strengthened at grassroots level in order to take political avatar. At present, the TJAC is confined to employees and educated section of voters,” an analyst commented. 

As far as opposition parties are concerned, they are keenly watching the moves of the TJAC chairman. Leader of principal opposition Congress are of the view that if Kodandaram floats a political party and contests the polls without aligning with the Congress, the proposed outfit might split the anti-establishment vote and also divide the votes of employees, students and Reddys, affecting the electoral fortunes of the Congress. 

Spirits high
Kodandaram announced that Koluvala Kai Kotlata (Fighting for Jobs) public meeting with unemployed youth will be held on Nov 30 in Hyderabad. “We have taken permission for the meeting from the High Court, as the State government is not allowing us to organise any kind of protests on people’s issues,” he said.