Wild, wild rumour: KCR to launch a national party to beat Modi

‘One nation-one poll’ has been a dream of the Narendra Modi government. In fact, the first steps towards bringing the radical dream were taken in 2018, with alleged inner-party consultations within the BJP happening in a hush-hush manner. There were unfounded speculations that the Lok Sabha would be dissolved in 2018 December so elections to several States and LS can be held.

But everything turned out to be purely speculative. And the issue is back once again.

This time, sections of Telugu media are at the forefront of creating the rumour. A regional channel with a wide viewership has speculated that Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is planning to launch a national coalition named Naya Bharat to cross swords with the BJP. As per the report, Lok Sabha and State assembly elections will be simultaneously held in 2022, with a Presidential-type election for the post of the Prime Minister.

To be sure, this sounds like a wild, wild, wild speculation. There is no hint of Modi wanting to seek a fresh mandate in 2022, when the economy will just be recovering from the blow of COVID-19.

As for KCR, he has previously held parleys with Mamata Banerjee in order to be able to beat the BJP in 2019. Cut to 2020, the Trinamool Congress itself is facing a tough challenge in West Bengal. As for the TRS, it can win a maximum of 17 seats.

A national coalition against the BJP will make sense only if the Congress party comes along.