TRS, BJP going all out in Graduate MLC elections

HYDERABAD: Wiser from the Dubbak and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) poll setbacks, the TRS leadership is strategising to ensure that it emerges on top in the ensuing graduate MLC elections in the Nalgonda-Khammam-Warangal (NKW) and Hyderabad-Ranga Reddy-Mahbubnagar (HRRM) constituencies, slated for March.

The party high command feels that overconfidence had led to its recent loss at Dubbaka and less than expected number in the GHMC poll. In order to make amends, the leadership is planning to make full use of the party cadre at the grassroot level to win the two graduate constituencies.

According to party sources, MLC Council Whip Palla Rajeshwar Reddy has been finalised for the NKW constituency. Although the candidate for the HRRM constituency is yet to be finalised, the ministers in those districts have already started their campaigning. The party high command has reportedly handed over the task of selection of the candidate to the concerned district ministers.

The TRS leaders in NKW districts say they are already campaigning for the elections.

In keeping with the directions of Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and party working president K.T. Rama Rao, ministers Errabelli Dayakar Rao and Sathyavathi Rathod have been already appointed election in-charges.

The local MLAs, former ministers, ZP chairperson and senior leaders have been appointed as incharge for their respective constituencies. The party hopes to allot campaigning for every 50 voters to one leader. Sources indicate that the party top guns feel only such an approach can ensure a victory.

Meanwhile, the Opposition has also taken the MLC elections as a prestigious one.

Founder of Telangana Jana Samiti Prof. M. Kodandaram is contesting from the NKW constituency. According to sources, he hopes to get the support of Left parties and the Congress, youth, students and civic organisations in the constituency. Political analysts are of the view that the Opposition front is planning to support the Congress, in return, in the HRRM seat. It is believed that TRS will face stiff competition if such an arrangement materialises. 

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is contesting both seats, is brimming with confidence following the impressive showing in Dubbaka and GHMC elections. The party cadre is in good spirits and this can help them on D-Day, analysts opine.

N. Ramachander Rao, the MLC for the HRRM constituency, is eyeing an encore while the party is yet to finalise its nominee for NKW constituency.