KTR's bold prediction on BJP, Congress and the future of politics: 'Next decade belongs to...'

BRS leader KT Rama Rao said he does not see the Congress or the BJP returning to power on its own in 10 years from now. (File Photo: PTI)

Bharat Rashtra Samithi working president and former Telangana minister KT Rama Rao has expressed optimism about the future of his party as well as that of regional parties in general. The next decade, he says, belongs to regional parties and he does not see the Congress or the Bharatiya Janata Party remaining in power for too long.

"I do not see the Congress, which has lost three elections, bouncing back. The BJP has lost majority in Parliament and the future belongs to regional parties. In the next 10 years, I do not see either the Congress or the BJP coming back to power on its own. The next decade belongs to regional parties," KTR said in an interview to The Indian Express.

KTR's party, the BRS, was removed from power following its defeat in the Assembly elections held earlier this year, paving way for the formation of a Congress government in the state and marking the end of K Chandrashekar Rao's 10-year rule as Telangana Chief Minister.

The defeat also left the BRS' ambitious plans of national expansion in disarray. At one point, the BRS was even looking to contest elections in Maharashtra and elsewhere. However, KTR remains optimistic about the party's future -- both in the state and on a national level.

"Last year was the toughest in our existence and we will only rise from here. I can see the mood of the people changing. They can see the issues we are taking up, be it farmers or youth and also those losing their houses to the 'bulldozer raj' in Telangana. At the end of the day, politics is a see-saw with highs and lows. What matters is the consistent effort to win," he says.

KTR further said that the Telangana fervor, a phenomena he compares to nationalistic fervor, has remained in favour of KCR. "Whether the name is TRS or BRS, the fact remains that our flag and leader have not changed."

KTR also pointed to the role Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu is playing at the Centre and claimed that KCR could play a bigger role in 2029. Asked whether he sees regional parties sustaining without an alliance with the BJP or the Congress, KTR says he sees more regional powers emerging in the near future.

"If Telugu movies can become pan-India, why can't a regional party gain national importance? Chandrababu Naidu is playing a key role in Delhi. KCR may play a bigger role in 2029. There is nothing wrong in being based out of Hyderabad and wanting to call the shots in Delhi," he adds.

Reflecting on the poll performance of the BRS in Telangana, KTR said that his party lost to the Congress by a whisker due to the "false promises" of the Congress, which the ruling party is now struggling to meet.

KTR, who is known for his sharp remarks targetting Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, said he does not holding anything personally against the leader and that his opposition is to the Congress over its unkept promises.

"We also oppose BJP for the same reason."