The recent release of exit polls suggests a significant setback for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BRS) in its quest to regain power in Telangana. Most polls indicate that the Congress is poised to secure more than the necessary 60 seats for an absolute majority, boosting the party’s confidence in the state. Following the favourable exit poll results, reports suggest that the Congress high command has issued special instructions to the state leadership, anticipating potential horse-trading of MLAs, a challenge the party has faced in the past.
In the event of a hung assembly, the Congress leadership deems it essential to keep their MLAs together. Consequently, there are plans to relocate MLAs to a resort in Bengaluru or other Congress-ruled states. Mallu Ravi, TPCC Vice President and a senior Congress leader mentioned that if the party secures less than 70 seats when the results are declared on December 3, the MLAs will be collectively shifted to the resort/hotel.
Expressing confidence in the Congress’ victory, State chief Revanth Reddy anticipates a two-thirds majority, claiming that exit pollspredict the party will win a massive 80 seats. Reddy stresses adherence to the party’s internal processes for decision-making, including the selection of the chief minister, as directed by the high command.
To facilitate the smooth transition of winning candidates, the Congress has appointed coordinators responsible for relocating them to undisclosed locations after receiving certificates from electoral officers. Subsequently, under tight security, the MLAs are expected to be moved to a resort in Bengaluru. Congress sources reveal that Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, known for his pivotal role in the party’s success in Karnataka, will play a crucial role in managing the shifting of MLAs, drawing on his experience from a similar situation during the 2018 trust vote in the Karnataka Assembly.