A triangular contest on the cards in Secunderabad

Hyderabad: The Secunderabad Assembly constituency is set to witness a fierce three-way contest between Deputy Speaker T. Padma Rao Goud (BRS), Adam Santhosh (Congress)  and Mekala Sarangapani from the BJP.

Santhosh, who has been consistently campaigning, says that Secunderabad finally has a local candidate after almost two decades. "If you vote for outsiders and wish to meet them then you will have to visit them in some other constituency. If you vote for me, you can knock on my doors even at midnight,” he said.

His wife Uma Devi was twice corporator and he has held positions in the NSUI and APCC. Santhosh's experience in Indian railways and his involvement with the National Federation of Indian Railwaymen and the SCR Employees Sangh have earned him the support of railway unions. He says he plans to rely on his Basti Poru initiative through which he understands the issues faced by people in the constituency.

Two-time incumbent MLA Padma Rao has a strong support base, including the locals.

The BJP's decision to field Sarangapani came as a surprise to many, as local leaders had favoured former mayor Banda Kartikha Reddy. Some suggest that the party chose Sarangapani to fulfill its promise of awarding more tickets to Backward Classes (BC).

‘Son of the soil’ Santhosh's strength is in his local roots, Goud's revolve around his vast experience and popularity, while Sarangapani will bank on the BC communities card.