‘Operation Aakarsh’, it became popular during the regime of Y.S. Rajashekara Reddy in erstwhile Andhra Pradesh state. Taking advantage of power, attracting leaders from opposition parties is the main goal behind the operation and later many leaders like N. Chandrababu Naidu in AP and K. Chandrashekar Rao in Telangana adopted same to strengthen their parties.
Now, the main opposition party in Telangana, the Congress is focusing on ‘Operation Aakarsh’ though it is not in power. After an announcement from AICC’s Chief Rahul Gandhi on there would no change in existed PCCs, in Telangana, the TPCC Chief Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy is on the path to attract leaders from other parties including TRS and Telugu Desam.
A source from Congress said that the party had stronghold on Southern Telangana but, after formation of Telangana state it lost its glory. “As per the estimations of Party’s high command, in coming elections, Congress will sweep entire South Telangana. In order to achieve the goal, the TPCC is concentrating on strengthening the party at weak places by making strong leaders to join the party,” the source said.
The Congress, which has no seats in Legislative Assembly from Hyderabad, strongly believes that it will gain half off the places in 2019 apart from its alliance AIMIM. “In both Hyderabad and undivided Rangareddy states, out of 29 assembly constituencies and four parliamentary segments, we have poor strength. In Hyderabad, out of 15, we did not gain even single seat. But, now ex-Ministers Danam Nagender and Mukhesh Goud are gaining public support comparing with earlier. Similarly, in Rangareddy district, ex-Minister Sabitha Reddy has stronghold again on her constituency,” the source said.
In Mahbubnagar, the party has two strong leaders – D.K. Aruna and Jaipal Reddy. “They are maintaining two groups and if they join hands, the party will get good results with newly joined A. Revanth Reddy,” the source added.
Besides these districts, the party is strong enough in undivided Nalgonda and Khammam districts. “Now, the party is focusing on strong leaders from other parties like ex-Minister Nagam Janardhan Reddy (Now in BJP) and Kothakota ex-Minister Dayakar Reddy. Dayakar Reddy may get seat from Maktal and Nagam from Kolhapur. Similarly, the party is focusing on second grade leaders who are seeking tickets in next elections,” the source said.
