Victory in the GHMC polls would mean control over Hyderabad. With Seemandhra voters comprising more than 30% of the population, undoubtedly, they will play a huge role in determining the outcome of the polls. KCR lacks the cadre and neither does he enjoy the goodwill of the Seemandhra people to pull off another victory. Although, he allegedly resorted to unethical tactics like trying to get the names of Seemandhra voters deleted, he still faces an uphill task. Chandrababu Naidu has the cadre but is steadily losing the trust of the Seemandhras in Hyderabad thanks to his authoritarian regime and anti-farmer policies back home in Andhra. Inviting KCR for the foundation ceremony of Amaravathi also did not go down well with the Andhras. This displeasure is bound to increase all the more should Naidu turn up for KCR’s ‘Chandiyagam’.
There definitely exists a void now and this is actually the perfect opportunity for YS Jagan to consolidate in Hyderabad. Being the only alternative to Chandrababu, Jagan should go all out to make his presence felt in Hyderabad. Although his YSRCP is currently a non-entity in Telangana, a solid performance in the GHMC polls would be a good beginning towards reviving his Party in the region. And while there are allegations that he has a pact with TRS, in the best interests of the Seemandhras and his own political future, Jagan would do best to ignore that and carve a niche for himself in Hyderabad.