Split Khammam makes it tough for contestants

Khammam: The coordination of elections in two Assembly segments in Bhadradri-Kothagudem district is a little difficult for election officials because they are spread over two or three districts. 

But it is more difficult for the candidates contesting from these segments. Assembly constituencies such as Yellandu and Bhadrachalam which were part of the erstwhile Khammam district are now spread over four districts - Khammam, Bhadradri, Jayasankar-Bhupalapalli and Mahbubabad. The returning officers have to coordinate with each district collector. 

There are five mandals in Yellandu constituency - Garla, Bayyaram, Kamepalli, Tekulapalli and Yellandu. Kamepalli is in Khammam, Garla and Bayyaram in Mahbubabad and Yellandu and Tekulapalli in Bhadradri-Kothagudem districts.

The election officials of this segment have to monitor poll staff working in three districts. Deputing police personnel for elections also presents challenges as it is difficult to monitor.

Apart from the mainstream political parties, different naxal groups are also in the fray in Yellandu. Further, there are scattered tribal habitations and many of them are located in reserve forest areas.

Koram Kanakaiah is contesting on the TRS ticket from Yellandu as is Gummadi Narasaiah from the CPI (ML) New Democracy party. The polling staff has to work hard to transport the polling material. 

Likewise, Bhadrachalam Assembly constituency is spread into two districts. Bhadrachalam, Dummugudem and Charla mandals are in Bhadradri and Venkatapuram and Vazed in Bhupalapalli district.

Candidates have to inform police officials of both districts of their poll campaign. There was no such problem in the 2014 elections as these segments were in the erstwhile Khammam district. The aspirations of the people in one district are different from those of the people in another.

The voters of Venkatapuram and Vazed mandals are connected with the Bhupalapalli district administration and their issues differ from those in Dummugudem, Charla and Bhadrachalam mandals in Bhadradri district. 

The same issue is seen in Yellandu too. People of Garla and Bayyaram which is in Mahaboobabad district are agitating for a steel factory at Bayyaram. But it is not a key issue for the people of Kamepalli mandal in Khammam district. Candidates have to evolve separate campaign plans for the mandals based on the district they are located in.