By Mukesh 
Riding high on its recent political successes in the Northeast, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is now turning its focus towards Telangana, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to send a strong political message during his visit to the State on Sunday.
Party leaders believe the Prime Minister’s visit marks the beginning of an aggressive push by the BJP to position Telangana as its next major electoral target in South India.
The enthusiasm among Telangana BJP chief N. Ramchander Rao, Union Ministers G. Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar, along with party workers, reflects the belief within the party that Telangana could become the BJP’s next breakthrough State in the South.
Political observers are closely watching whether Mr. Modi, during his address, will formally outline the BJP’s roadmap for capturing power in Telangana in the next Assembly elections. State BJP leaders are confident that the Prime Minister’s speech will serve as a clear signal towards it.
Speaking ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, Mr. Ramchander Rao said the BJP’s rise in States like West Bengal demonstrates that the party can emerge strongly even in regions where it once had limited presence. “A party that built itself from scratch in West Bengal over the last decade can certainly capture Telangana as well, where its presence is huge,” he said.
He expressed confidence that Mr. Modi’s popularity and leadership would help the BJP expand its base in Telangana. According to him, the public meeting would energise party workers, and lakhs are attending the meeting voluntarily, reflecting growing public support for the BJP.