NIZAMABAD: The revival of Nizam Sugar Factory has once again become a major talking point for all parties ahead of the Assembly elections in the State. The factory in Bodhan, which was established in 1937 by the Nizam and was later known to be one of the largest sugar factories in Asia, has been considered one of the TRS government’s biggest failures.
Before the 2014 elections, the party had promised to breathe life into the factory that has languished under bad management for decades. But now, more than four years later and with very little change in the factory’s condition, people of the region seethe with anger when TRS leaders come to ask for votes.
During its heyday, the company had opened several units in different parts of the State such as Metpally and Medak. The company was under government control till 2002 in then-united Andhra Pradesh when it started falling unto hard times.
It was privatised by the TDP government but even this failed to arrest its misfortune. Subsequent governments have promised, and failed, to reverse this downward spiral. TRS’ primary Opposition party Congress has used the Nizam Sugar Factory to attack TRS multiple time. Recently, during his visit to Kamareddy, AICC president Rahul Gandhi also mentioned the issue in his speech.
Similarly, Congress leader P Sudharshan Reddy now talks about it extensively at his public meetings. “Sugarcane crop is very suitable for weather in Telangana. And due to mechanised farming, it even needs lesser amount of labour. So, like Maharasthra, we will encourage sugarcane farming in this region, thereby revive Nizam Sugars again,” Reddy said.
The Congress leader also repeated many of the promises made by his party. “We will concentrate on producing ethanol and 14 other products to encourage sugarcane-allied activities as well,” Reddy said. Not just Reddy, party leaders have made multiple claims related to Nizam Sugar Factory.
The people look like they have bought into these promises as well, as they had believed in the case of TRS in 2014. But come December 7, Congress’ convictions will be put to test and it remains to be seen if something as simple as sugar can change the party’s fortunes.