HYDERABAD: A significant debate is unfolding within Congress circles regarding the party's failure to adequately publicize Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s recent US tour. Despite the successful signing of several MoUs and participation in investment meetings, the lack of effective promotion has been a major concern.
The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) and key government departments struggled with coordination, which hindered the promotion of the visit. Although the delegation achieved notable success in securing investments, the Congress government has not managed to garner substantial media attention or counter the allegations made by the BRS about the MoUs.
Moreover, there has been a notable silence among ministers, MPs, MLAs, and MLCs in response to the BRS's allegations against the ruling party and the Chief Minister. The ruling party’s social media efforts were lackluster, failing to address the criticisms from the opposition effectively. This weakness in the social media strategy can have serious repercussions for Congress’s political image, particularly as the BRS has been enhancing its social media presence.
In contrast to the previous BRS administration, which managed to effectively publicize investment meetings, Congress's attempts to counter BRS allegations have been tepid. This has allowed the opposition to gain the upper hand.
The party’s old guard has also been criticized for their lack of defense of the Chief Minister during this period of increased scrutiny. Despite having 65 MLAs, eight MPs, and four MLCs, Congress leaders have largely remained silent amidst the BRS's attacks.
Under the previous BRS government, rebuttals to Congress allegations were swift and effective. The absence of a media relations officer on the Chief Minister’s team during the US visit has compounded the issue, as there was a lack of information flow that could have been useful to the media. Details about the companies met or those interested in investing in Hyderabad were sparse.
In the past, BRS leaders’ investment trips and meetings were accompanied by extensive information dissemination. However, the current administration’s approach has been less organized, making the Chief Minister’s trip appear lackluster despite its successes. Notably, the same officials who previously managed BRS investment events were part of the Chief Minister's team, but their efforts seem to have been less effective this time.