In the aftermath of a major setback in the coal belt during the recently concluded assembly election, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is now directing its efforts toward securing a foothold in the upcoming Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) union elections on December 27. A victory in the majority of SCCL divisions could significantly bolster the pink party's prospects in approximately five Lok Sabha seats in the forthcoming elections next year.

Eyeing the support of nearly 19,000 first-time voters, recruited due to the BRS government's initiative to provide jobs to dependents a few years back, the party is hopeful of influencing the polls where around 43,000 Singareni workers will cast their votes.

Despite securing just one out of eleven assembly constituencies in the coal belt, the BRS remained unsuccessful in the rest, all claimed by the Congress in the election. This outcome left the party in dismay, with party working president KT Rama Rao expressing bewilderment as the BRS government had undertaken numerous welfare measures for Singareni workers.

In the preceding SCCL recognized union elections held in 2017, the BRS-affiliated Telangana Boggu Gani Karmika Sangham (TBGKS) dominated, clinching nine out of eleven divisions, while the CPI-affiliated AITUC secured the remaining two divisions.

Recently, TBGKS honorary president and former MP Kalvakuntla Kavitha strategized with union leaders for the impending trade union polls. Kavitha is expected to commence campaigning next week, covering a wide array of SCCL divisions.

According to TBGKS working president Kengarla Mallaiah, Singareni workers greatly value the welfare schemes provided by the erstwhile BRS government, including dependent employment, a significant share of profits for employees, and housing facilities. Mallaiah dispelled claims that the BRS lost in coal belt areas due to Singareni workers' opposition, citing minimal worker presence in certain assembly segments compared to the substantial margin of loss.