The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) played a pivotal role in the creation of Telangana and emerged as the dominant political force in the newly formed state. The TRS, led by K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), was instrumental in mobilizing public support for statehood, and following the creation of Telangana in 2014, the party gained significant electoral victories. Here's a look at the key elections and victories of TRS in Telangana:

1. 2014 Telangana Legislative Assembly Elections:

  • Date: The first-ever elections in the state of Telangana were held in April-May 2014, alongside the national general elections.
  • Background: These elections came just months after the passage of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014, which created the state of Telangana. TRS, which had been at the forefront of the separate statehood movement, was expected to perform well due to its role in achieving Telangana’s creation.

Results:

  • The TRS won a clear majority, securing 63 out of 119 seats in the Telangana Legislative Assembly.
  • K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) was sworn in as the first Chief Minister of Telangana on June 2, 2014, the same day Telangana officially became a state.
  • The TRS’s victory was seen as a direct reflection of the party’s role in the formation of Telangana and KCR’s leadership during the statehood movement.

Key Opposition:

  • The Indian National Congress (INC), which was instrumental in passing the Telangana bill in Parliament, hoped to gain credit for the creation of the state but won only 21 seats.
  • The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and its ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), also contested but lagged behind, with TDP winning 15 seats and BJP winning 5.
  • Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), a regional party with significant influence in Hyderabad, won 7 seats.

The TRS’s 2014 victory solidified KCR's position as the leader of the new state and allowed the party to implement its vision for Telangana’s development.

2. 2018 Telangana Legislative Assembly Elections:

  • Background: In 2018, KCR decided to dissolve the Telangana Legislative Assembly eight months ahead of schedule, opting for early elections. The move was seen as a strategic decision to capitalize on TRS’s popularity and to avoid simultaneous elections with the 2019 national polls.

Date: The elections were held on December 7, 2018, with results declared on December 11, 2018.

Results:

  • The TRS won a landslide victory, securing 88 out of 119 seats in the assembly.
  • KCR was re-elected as the Chief Minister of Telangana for a second term.
  • TRS increased its vote share significantly, winning over 46% of the total votes.

Key Opposition:

  • The Congress formed a "Mahakutami" (grand alliance) with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS), and Communist Party of India (CPI) in an attempt to unseat the TRS. However, the alliance could only secure 21 seats (Congress won 19, TDP 2).
  • The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which was contesting separately, won just 1 seat.
  • The AIMIM retained its dominance in Hyderabad by winning 7 seats.

Significance of TRS Victory:

  • TRS’s massive win in 2018 was a clear endorsement of KCR’s leadership and the welfare schemes implemented by the state government, such as the Rythu Bandhu scheme (farmers’ investment support) and Mission Bhagiratha (drinking water supply).
  • The opposition’s failure to present a united or compelling alternative further contributed to TRS’s success.

3. Lok Sabha Elections (2014 and 2019):

  • In both the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha (general) elections, TRS also performed strongly in Telangana.

2014 Lok Sabha Elections:

  • TRS won 11 out of 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana, consolidating its position as the dominant party in the state.

2019 Lok Sabha Elections:

  • TRS won 9 out of 17 seats in 2019. While it remained the largest party in Telangana, its tally dropped slightly from the previous general elections, in part due to the resurgence of the BJP, which won 4 seats.

4. Challenges and Current Scenario:

  • Since the formation of Telangana, the TRS has dominated the political landscape of the state, primarily due to the popularity of KCR and his focus on welfare schemes, infrastructure projects, and regional pride.
  • However, in recent years, the BJP has emerged as a significant challenger, aiming to expand its footprint in Telangana after its relatively strong performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and subsequent local body elections.

Key Factors Behind TRS's Success:

  • Regional Pride: TRS successfully capitalized on the sentiment of Telangana pride, positioning itself as the true representative of the state’s interests.
  • Welfare Schemes: Schemes like Rythu Bandhu (direct financial support to farmers), KCR Kits (assistance for pregnant women and newborns), and Mission Bhagiratha helped TRS maintain strong rural and urban support.
  • Leadership of KCR: KCR’s image as a strong and decisive leader who delivered on the promise of Telangana has been a key factor in the TRS’s electoral victories.

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), under the leadership of K. Chandrashekar Rao, continues to be the dominant political force in Telangana, having won multiple electoral battles since the state’s creation in 2014.