The 2023 Telangana Assembly elections marked a pivotal shift, witnessing the Congress upend the Bharat Rashtra Samithi's (BRS) decade-long stronghold with a resounding victory. Displaying unwavering resolve, the Congress secured a staggering 64 seats independently, further bolstered by its ally, the Communist Party of India (CPI), poised to assume governance for the first time since Telangana's inception. In stark contrast, the BRS clinched 39 seats, primarily concentrated in Hyderabad and Rangareddy districts.
The electoral upheaval resonated with several high-profile leaders facing defeats, notably Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao's loss to BJP candidate Venkatramana Reddy in Kamareddy. Nevertheless, KCR and Congress leader Revanth Reddy secured wins in the Gajwel and Kodangal constituencies, respectively.
The counting day unveiled a staggering turn, witnessing six BRS Ministers, including Indrakaran Reddy and Niranjan Reddy, facing substantial defeats. Notable upsets included BJP MPs Bandi Sanjay and Dharmapuri Arvind, alongside the BSP's R.S. Praveen Kumar, who didn't secure anticipated victories.
Congress made significant inroads across South and North Telangana districts, clinching substantial seats in Khammam, Nalgonda, Mahabubnagar, Warangal, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Adilabad, and Rangareddy. However, BJP's unexpected gains in Adilabad and Nizamabad posed a challenge, securing seven seats from first-time MLAs.
Hyderabad emerged as a stronghold for the BRS, led by IT Minister K.T. Rama Rao, securing seven out of 15 seats, supported by AIMIM's seven wins and one BJP victory. Notably, Congress couldn't secure any seats in Hyderabad, focusing its campaign on critiquing KCR's family rule, alleging corruption in the Kaleshwaram project and government land sales. The unemployment issue and promises of financial support to rural communities became pivotal points, propelling Congress to a significant win and reshaping Telangana's political landscape.
