All of a sudden, the field is wide open! The invincible KCR is a worried man and his publication 'Namaste Telangana' devoted two pages to attacking Kodandaram.
There has been no shortage of criticism directed at KCR or the TRS Party in the last two years, but KCR could easily weather that by playing the sentiment card ad nauseam.
Revanth Reddy backed his accusations with facts but getting caught in the Stephenson case proved to be his undoing plus the fact that KCR managed to brand TDP as an Andhra Party.
But with Kodandaram, it is an entirely different story! The man has an image as popular as that of KCR in Telangana! Besides, he has the support of the student community which KCR does not have. But the biggest factor that sets Kodandaram apart from the rest of the Opposition in Telangana is his credibility.
Kodandaram promised to fight for Telangana and he did that successfully. He did not take up any posts in the government after bifurcation. Unlike KCR who promised to make a Dalit, the first CM of Telangana, who said his children would not join politics after bifurcation, etc, Kodandaram has no baggage of failed promises behind him.
Besides, as he said, he gave the government two years to settle down before voicing his protest. And in these two years, he has been fighting for the farmers by filing petitions in the High Court requesting government action.
Therefore, when Kodandaram speaks, Telangana listens!
