Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Land Politics Shapes Telangana’s 2028 Assembly Election Battle
Telangana’s political parties are already preparing for the 2028 state election.
A major argument is about how land records and registrations are managed.
Congress says the earlier BRS government misused the Dharani system and harmed some landowners.
BRS says Dharani made registrations quicker and reduced the role of middlemen.
Congress replaced Dharani with a new system called Bhu Bharati.
BRS is now criticizing that system and the Congress government’s explanation of it.
Congress also faces complaints about alleged corruption, delayed payments and governance problems.
The BJP could win some support, but the article says weak leadership might make it difficult for the party to win outright.
Because the three parties may divide the vote, the state could end up with no single-party majority.
Congress and BRS are expected to campaign heavily over Dharani and Bhu Bharati land-record systems.
Congress accused the former BRS government of land-record manipulation and land grabbing through Dharani.
BRS rejects the allegations, while criticizing Congress’s implementation and explanation of Bhu Bharati.
Governance concerns, alleged corruption, delayed payments and attacks on political opponents could hurt Congress.
BJP remains a third force, but leadership and coordination concerns raise the possibility of a hung Assembly.
- Who
- The Congress government, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are the main political forces discussed.
- What
- The parties are positioning themselves for the 2028 Telangana Assembly election, with land policy, governance and leadership as major issues.
- When
- The next Telangana Assembly election is expected in 2028; K T Rama Rao has announced a statewide padayatra in 2027.
- Where
- Telangana, India.
- Why
- The parties are seeking voter support amid disputes over land-record systems, allegations of corruption, governance concerns and dissatisfaction with political leadership.
Congress and Government Position
BRS Opposition Position
Dharani land-record system
Congress and Government Position
Congress alleges that Dharani enabled land-record changes, incorrect ownership details, restricted access to land rights and the placement of valuable land in the prohibited 22-A category.
BRS Opposition Position
BRS rejects the allegations and argues that Dharani reduced middlemen while making land registration faster and more transparent.
Bhu Bharati implementation
Congress and Government Position
The Congress government says it replaced Dharani with Bhu Bharati and has defended its approach through explanations and statistics presented by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.
BRS Opposition Position
BRS criticizes the Bhu Bharati framework and the Chief Minister’s explanation, while sections of the public reportedly found the explanation unclear and contradictory.
Political performance and voter confidence
Congress and Government Position
Congress presents its governance changes as significant, but the article says it faces criticism over alleged corruption, financial management and attacks on K Chandrasekhar Rao.
BRS Opposition Position
BRS can benefit from anti-incumbency against Congress but must overcome doubts about its past governance, alleged leader arrogance and K Chandrasekhar Rao’s limited participation in the Assembly.
BJP’s electoral role
Congress and Government Position
The Congress and BRS remain the principal competitors, and the BJP is portrayed as not yet fully prepared to challenge both parties.
BRS Opposition Position
The BJP has a strong cadre and could contribute to a divided mandate, but the article says it needs stronger state leadership and coordination to convert that strength into seats.
- Next election
- Telangana Assembly election expected in 2028
- Central issue
- The political dispute over Dharani and Bhu Bharati land-record frameworks
- Congress position
- Congress accused the former BRS government of land-record manipulation and promised to investigate irregularities
- BRS position
- BRS says Dharani reduced middlemen and made land registration faster and more transparent
- Congress challenge
- The government faces allegations involving corruption, delayed retirement benefits, healthcare payments and refunds
- BJP position
- The BJP is described as a third force with a strong cadre but concerns over state-level leadership and coordination
- Possible outcome
- The article says Telangana could be heading for a hung Assembly if no party gains sufficient support