The political scene in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is witnessing a new trend—keeping “books” to track political rivals. Both ruling and opposition parties in these states are warning their opponents, stating that they are noting down names for future action.
Red Book Politics in Andhra Pradesh
In Andhra Pradesh, the controversy over the “Red Book” is intensifying. The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has accused the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) of maintaining a list of people who allegedly harassed TDP members when YSRCP was in power.
TDP leader Nara Lokesh had previously warned that names of officials and individuals who troubled TDP workers were being recorded in a “Red Book.” He stated that once TDP returned to power, those responsible would face consequences.
Now that the government has changed, YSRCP is alleging that the “Red Book” is being used as a tool for political revenge. The recent arrest of MLA Vallabhaneni Vamsi has added fuel to these allegations. YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy has strongly responded, warning that his party will fight back under “Jagananna 2.0” governance.
Pink Book Controversy in Telangana
A similar strategy is emerging in Telangana, where the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has accused the ruling Congress government of targeting its leaders and workers with false cases.
In response, BRS leaders have announced that they are maintaining a “Pink Book” to record the names of those who are allegedly harassing their members. BRS MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha has claimed that Congress is using the police to silence opposition voices. She also alleged that people are being arrested for simply tweeting about public issues.
BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) has also issued a warning, stating that the party will not remain silent if its members continue to be unfairly targeted.
Political Fallout
As the “Red Book vs. Pink Book” controversy grows, the political climate in both states is heating up. While TDP and Congress argue that their actions are necessary for governance, YSRCP and BRS see them as acts of political revenge.
With both states adopting this strategy, many are questioning whether these “books” will be used for accountability or just political vendetta. The coming months will reveal the true impact of this trend on the political landscape.
