Demand high for Congress seats in Northern district

NIZAMABAD: The competition for tickets for the upcoming Assembly elections is gaining momentum in all major political parties. Interestingly, the first timers are in the forefront in the races. The competition is the toughest in the Congress as compared to other political parties. 

Undivided Nizamabad district is termed as the political laboratory among the northern districts of Telangana as people here always give different verdicts for political parties. 

They have so far elected MLAs from the Congress, the Telugu Desam, the TRS, the BJP and the Praja Rajyam from Nizamabad. In 2014, the MIM had narrowly missed its chance in Nizamabad urban assembly constituency.

The competition for tickets within the Congress has become a hot topic in the political circles in the district. Not less than four leaders are vying for the tickets in the Congress in majority of the assembly constituencies. A few parties have also decided not to field candidates in some assembly segments. 

For instance, TPCC spokesperson B. Mahesh Kumar Goud, TPCC secretary N. Ratnaker, DCC president Taher Bin Hamdan, sitting MLC Akula Lalitha, TPCC general secretary Gadugu Gangadhar and CCC president Kesha Venu are vying for the ticket in Nizamabad urban assembly constituency.

At present, TRS MLAs represent all nine assembly constituencies in the district. The BJP and the Telugu Desam are in a difficult situation as they either do not have a strong leader in some constituencies or they are not in position to beat their rivals. 

Meanwhile, TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy indicated that the party’s candidates would be declared early for the 2019 Assembly elections. He said this was to avoid last minute rush and confusion among party leaders as well as for executing a smooth campaign and perfect strategy. The Congress leaders and activists are eagerly waiting for the decision of the TPCC.