The role of political parties in the formation of Telangana between 1991 and 2014 was crucial in shaping the demand for a separate state. Various political parties, both at the national and regional levels, played significant roles—either supporting or opposing the creation of Telangana. The evolution of the movement saw political alignments, shifts in strategies, electoral maneuvering, and grassroots mobilization. Here’s a comprehensive look at how political parties influenced the Telangana statehood movement during this period:

1. Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS)

  • Formation in 2001: The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), founded by K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) in 2001, was the first political party formed with the sole aim of achieving a separate Telangana state. KCR, a former member of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), launched TRS to provide a political platform dedicated to the statehood cause.

  • Leadership of the Movement: TRS became the primary political force leading the demand for Telangana. KCR’s leadership brought focus and legitimacy to the cause, with the party organizing protests, rallies, and campaigns advocating for the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

  • Electoral Alliances: To further the cause, TRS formed alliances with national parties like the Congress in the 2004 elections and later the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These alliances were often tactical, with the party aligning itself based on promises made about supporting the creation of Telangana.

  • Decisive Moment – Fast-Unto-Death (2009): In 2009, KCR’s Fast-Unto-Death revived the Telangana movement after a lull, galvanizing mass support. This led to the central government, under P. Chidambaram, announcing that the process of forming Telangana would begin. This was one of the most significant victories for TRS.

  • Key Role in Final Stages (2013-2014): TRS played an instrumental role in pushing the Congress-led UPA government to pass the Telangana Bill in 2014, ensuring the formation of the new state. KCR’s political acumen and constant pressure through both electoral and grassroots strategies were vital in realizing Telangana statehood.

2. Indian National Congress (INC)

  • Initial Position: The Congress had a complex relationship with the Telangana demand. While it had strong support in the region, it was reluctant to commit to statehood due to opposition from leaders in the Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra regions.

  • 2004 Elections and Alliance with TRS: In the 2004 elections, the Congress formed an alliance with TRS, promising to look into the demand for a separate Telangana state if it came to power. This promise helped the Congress secure significant electoral gains in Telangana, but after coming to power, the party delayed action on the issue.

  • Internal Conflicts: The Congress was deeply divided on the Telangana issue. Many senior leaders from Seemandhra opposed bifurcation, while leaders from Telangana, like Jaipal Reddy, supported statehood. This internal division delayed the party’s decision-making process on the issue.

  • 2009 Elections: The Congress faced pressure to clarify its stance on Telangana in the 2009 elections. While the party did not make a clear commitment to statehood, the protests and KCR’s fast forced the issue to the forefront.

  • Congress's Decisive Role in 2013-2014: In 2013, under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and after years of growing agitation, the Congress finally took a decisive step by announcing the formation of Telangana. The Congress Working Committee (CWC) passed a resolution supporting the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, and the bill was passed in Parliament in February 2014. The Congress’s decision to bifurcate the state was seen as a political move to regain electoral strength in Telangana, where it had lost ground to TRS.

3. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

  • Support for Telangana: The BJP had consistently supported the creation of smaller states, including Telangana, as part of its national agenda of administrative decentralization. The party had previously supported the creation of Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand in 2000.

  • Political Alliances with TRS: The BJP’s stance on Telangana aligned with that of TRS, and the two parties formed alliances during various elections. The BJP supported the demand for Telangana both in state and national politics, and its MPs raised the issue in Parliament on several occasions.

  • Role in Passing the Bill: In 2014, the BJP played a critical role in ensuring the smooth passage of the Telangana Bill in Parliament, despite opposition from several quarters. The BJP's support was crucial in the final stages of the bill’s passage, as the Congress needed BJP votes to overcome resistance from within its own party and from other opposition parties.

4. Telugu Desam Party (TDP)

  • Opposition to Telangana: The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), founded by N. T. Rama Rao (NTR) and later led by N. Chandrababu Naidu, was primarily a party of the united Andhra Pradesh. It was opposed to the bifurcation of the state, as it had strong electoral bases in both Telangana and Seemandhra regions.

  • Shift in Position: Despite its opposition to bifurcation, the TDP’s position evolved over time due to the growing political demand for Telangana. In the 2009 elections, TDP formed an alliance with pro-Telangana parties like TRS, but its commitment to statehood was seen as ambiguous, which hurt its credibility in Telangana.

  • Opposition to Congress Decision: After the Congress announced its decision to form Telangana in 2013, the TDP opposed the move, particularly from its Seemandhra leadership. Chandrababu Naidu played a significant role in mobilizing opposition to the bifurcation and supported the Samaikyandhra Movement, which called for a united Andhra Pradesh.

5. Communist Parties (CPI and CPI(M))

  • CPI (Communist Party of India): The CPI supported the creation of Telangana from the outset, recognizing the historical and economic grievances of the region. The party participated in protests and rallies organized by the Telangana movement and was a part of the Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC), which coordinated efforts for statehood.

  • CPI(M) (Communist Party of India - Marxist): In contrast, the CPI(M), while initially sympathetic to the cause, later opposed the bifurcation, citing concerns about regionalism and the unity of the working class. The CPI(M)’s position was that the creation of smaller states would not resolve the underlying socio-economic issues, and it remained a vocal opponent of the Telangana movement in its later stages.

6. Lok Satta Party

  • The Lok Satta Party, led by Jayaprakash Narayan, took a more nuanced position. While the party acknowledged the legitimate grievances of Telangana, it did not fully support the demand for statehood. Lok Satta advocated for decentralized governance and argued that economic and political reforms, rather than bifurcation, would address the region’s issues. The party’s position did not gain much traction, and it remained a marginal force in Telangana politics.

7. Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM)

  • Opposition to Telangana: The Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), a significant political force in Hyderabad, initially opposed the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. The party was concerned about the status of Hyderabad, a city with a substantial Muslim population, and feared that the creation of Telangana might lead to increased regional tensions.

  • Hyderabad as a Joint Capital: MIM’s opposition softened after the central government’s decision to make Hyderabad the joint capital of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for 10 years. MIM eventually adapted to the new political reality, but it remained cautious in its support for Telangana statehood.

8. Other Political Parties

  • Smaller parties, such as the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP), founded by film star Chiranjeevi, initially supported the demand for Telangana. However, PRP later merged with the Congress, and Chiranjeevi became a Union Minister, complicating his stance on Telangana.

  • The YSR Congress Party, founded by Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, opposed the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh after the death of his father, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR), who had maintained a neutral stance on the Telangana issue during his tenure as Chief Minister.

Conclusion

Political parties played a multifaceted role in the formation of Telangana between 1991 and 2014. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) was at the forefront of the movement, with Congress playing a decisive role in the final stages. The BJP provided consistent support, while parties like TDP and MIM initially opposed bifurcation due to their political calculations in united Andhra Pradesh. The combined efforts of TRS, TJAC, student groups, and a favorable political environment in 2014 led to the successful formation of Telangana as India’s 29th state on June 2, 2014.