HYDERABAD: Ahead of nationwide general strike call given by trade unions against disinvestment in public sector units (PSUs) on November 26, TRS has decided to rake up national issues, especially BJP’s Hindutva agenda as well divestment of PSUs, during the campaigning for the ensuing GHMC elections. To fight BJP in Greater Hyderabad, TRS leaders have been highlighting disinvestment in LIC, Indian Railways and privatisation in the power sector as key poll planks.
Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao reportedly directed all TRS leaders to speak out about “communal politics of BJP” and as well sale of government stake by issuing IPOs in public sector units during the party’s first stragegy meeting for GHMC polls held at Telangana Bhavan on Wednesday.
KCR has reportedly told leaders to ask voters whether they want a communal Hyderabad, where people fight with each other, or a peaceful city with development. Minister Satyavati Rathod and several other MLAs, who were campaigning in wards in Greater Hyderabad, highlighted about the privatisation of LIC, power sector, railways and other PSUs. Despite speaking about its welfare and development agenda, TRS lost to BJP in the Dubbak bypoll. Political analyst and former MLC Professor K Nageswar said, “It’s an intelligent strategy by KCR to target the disgruntled employees of PSUs, who are adversely affected by the NDA government’s policies. They (central government employees) form a large voter base in Hyderabad, which is a hub of public sector units, defence establishments and headquarters of South Central Railways.”
BJP has, historically, a significant presence in Hyderabad and in local body polls its a key opponent to Congress, AIMIM and now TRS. “TRS is also speaking about infrastructure it developed like flyovers of SRDP. However, they are stressing on the adverse impact of the NDA government’s economic policies, which have implications on citizens of Hyderabad also. For LIC alone, there would be thousands of families who are employees, agents and development officers living in the city. Even it can have an impact on policy holders. KCR is targeting the vulnerability of BJP,” the former MLC said.