GHMC elections: 2014 survey helps parties strategise

Hyderabad: The intensive household survey carried out in August 2014 across TS has now come in handy for all political parties who are utilising it for taking up scientific campaigning in GHMC elections.

The survey data is complete with details of households in the city such as from which state and caste the residents hail from.

It was found that a significant number of people from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, AP etc. have settled in the city.

Using this data, parties are devising strategies on how to attract these voters since they can alter the results.

The parties are planning to rope in community leaders from these sections to take up campaigning on their behalf.

The survey revealed that the population of Gujaratis in GHMC limits was 2.50 lakh.

They have significant  presence in areas like Bhoiguda, DB Colony, Zeera Colony, RP Road in Secunderabad division, besides Kachiguda, Koti and Kukatpally.

The survey revealed that there are around six lakh Bengalis, one-third of whom reside in the Old City alone. Bengalis have sizeable presence in Ameerpet, Somajiguda, Himayathngar, Vanasthalipuram and Autonagar.

The survey data showed that there are around 15,000 households of people who had migrated from Maharashtra in city. They are primarily located in Sultan Bazar, Jambagh and Nallakunta.

The survey also brought to light the presence of nearly three lakh Rajasthan-origin people in the city, most of who reside in Abids, King Koti, Ram Koti, Begum Bazaar, Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills, Madhapur and Attapur.

With regard to Kannadiga population, the survey revealed their significance presence in Seethaphalmandi, Sultan Bazaar, Badi Chowdi, Baghlingampally, Mahendra Hills and AS Rao Nagar.

“We have already approached the community leaders of these sections and sought their support. What is encouraging for us is that these communities had extended support to the TRS during Telangana statehood agitation,” said M. Hanumantha Rao, city TRS president.

Mr Rao said that with TRS alone forming the first government in TS, he was hopeful of their continued support. “Some community leaders have already started campaigning for us in some divisions,” he said

However, national parties BJP and Congress are more confident of garnering their support.