Hyderabad: Even before Ms Nandamuri Suhasini, the TD candidate for Kukat-pally, got into the campaign, voters observed her lack of oratory skills which is a key for any candidate. She has largely appeared hesitant and reluctant and lacks the vigour to take on her TRS rival.
Since her nomination, she has faced the media on two separate occasions. On the day she was announced as the Kukatpally candidate, she only introduced herself and her family and avoided taking questions. The second encounter was when she paid tribute at the N.T. Rama Rao memorial. Suhasini was unprepared and fell short of words.
But her caste seems to have come to her rescue. Kukatpally is known to be a Telugu Desam bastion. In 2014, it elected Madhavaram Krishna Rao who later shifted to the TD. In 2009, Mr Jai Prakash Narayan won with TD support.
The constituency is dominated by Kapu, Kamma, BC and SC voters, who decide the fate of candidates. Kukatpally has about 3.17 lakh, the belt from the Housing Board is said to be densely populated by Kamma voters.
Mr Rajashekar, a voter, said, “The BJP has positioned Madhavaram Kantha Rao, a close relative of the TRS candidate. There may be a spilt in TRS votes as KPHB corporator Harish Reddy is contesting as an independent. Suhasini is a first-timer but is likely to bag more votes, thanks to the Kammas.”
Another voter, Mr Vijay Kumar, from Balanagar said, “Though the strength of Kapus exceeds that of the other communities, the influence of Kammas dominates the constituency. A majority of Kamma voters are builders and businessmen who decide and can also influence BCs, SCs, based in Bala-nagar and Fatehnagar.
Actors Jr NTR and his stepbrother Kalyan Ram are likely to join actor-politician Nandamuri Balakrishna to add muscle to Ms Suhasini's campaign. Also by nominating Ms Suhasini, the TD wants to portray the Nandamuri family is for Telangana.
Sources revealed that TD president and AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is likely to hold a meeting with migrants settled in Serillingampally and Kukatpally.
