It has been nearly two years since the Congress came to power in Telangana, defeating the 10-year-old Bharat Rashtra Samithi government led by K Chandrasekhar Rao.
There are still three more years to go for the next assembly elections in the state, but the ruling party has already begun losing its ground, a latest Telangana mood survey conducted by People’s Pulse research organisation has revealed.
According to the report, the Congress still continues to hold a lead over its rivals; but that lead is gradually shrinking amid growing dissatisfaction over the pace of implementation of its election promises.
The report, titled “Telangana Mood – 2025,” is based on field data collected across 25 assembly constituencies with a sample of nearly 12,000 respondents.
The study sought to capture people’s perceptions of the Congress government’s performance, their expectations, and the current political mood across the state.
According to the survey findings, the Congress government led by chief minister A Revanth Reddy still enjoys an advantage, with a majority of respondents acknowledging its visible activity and attempts to roll out key welfare schemes.
However, the enthusiasm seen in late 2023 has visibly diminished.
Voters, particularly in rural areas, expressed mixed feelings — welcoming the promises made under the Six Guarantees but also voicing frustration over slow implementation, delayed payments, and uneven delivery of welfare benefits.
The Mahalakshmi scheme and Indiramma Housing were seen as positives, but many respondents said benefits had not yet reached them.
The survey identifies price rise, unemployment, and irregular power supply as the three top issues troubling citizens. Youth and job seekers complained about the lack of recruitment drives despite repeated assurances. Farmers voiced concern over irrigation project maintenance and input subsidies.
Urban residents highlighted the rising cost of living and inconsistent civic services. While a section of respondents credited Revanth Reddy for taking swift administrative decisions and maintaining visibility, others criticized him for being too media-centric and confrontational in tone.
The survey paints a nuanced picture of Revanth Reddy’s image — that of a dynamic, outspoken leader who has energized the Congress cadre, yet one whose aggressive political style risks alienating sections of the electorate.
Respondents described him as “bold” and “active,” but some questioned the substance behind the rhetoric, saying the government’s performance had yet to match its promises.
Analysts quoted in the report noted that the honeymoon period for the Congress government appears to be ending, with public expectations now shifting from rhetoric to tangible outcomes.
On the other hand, the BRS, despite suffering a major setback in the 2023 elections, continues to retain a core vote share of around 25–30 percent, particularly in its rural strongholds.
The survey indicates that the BRS has managed to hold on to its base among farmers, self-help group women, and beneficiaries of earlier welfare programmes such as Rythu Bandhu and Aasara pensions.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), meanwhile, has made marginal gains, especially in parts of Hyderabad, Karimnagar, and Adilabad districts, where the party’s national presence and Hindutva appeal resonate more strongly. However, it remains a distant third in most of the state, struggling to convert visibility into vote share.
The AIMIM continues to maintain its traditional bastions in Hyderabad, but its influence remains geographically limited.
The survey concludes that the Congress government is not in immediate danger, but the first signs of anti-incumbency are visible.
Unless the government accelerates delivery of welfare schemes, addresses employment generation, and controls inflation, the opposition — particularly BRS — could exploit growing voter fatigue.
The next 18 months will likely determine whether Congress consolidates its new base — or loses the narrative it built in 2023.